Social engineering (political science)
From Freepedia
- For a similar concept in a different discipline see Social engineering (computer security).
In political science, social engineering refers to attempts by governments or private groups to change or "engineer" the views and behaviour of citizens, for example, by the use of advertising, through active support of culture, or through the legal system. The discussion of the possibilities for such manipulation became quite active following World War II. Today, social engineering is used mainly as a pejorative term, having been likened by some commentators to practices under authoritarian systems of government, especially in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Yet on further consideration, it becomes clear that virtually all law and governance amounts, in essence, to social engineering. Prohibitions on speeding, littering, rape, or murder are all policies aimed at discouraging certain behaviours regarded as undesireable. Tax policies influence behavior, as do user-fees, and even ostensibly "laissez-faire" economic policies (intended to encourage economic growth by rewarding wealth-accumulation). Despite variance in degree and directness, the essential element of coercion remains the same. Yet the charge of "social engineering" is most often levied at those who advocate progressive politics - proposing to use law, tax policies, or other forms of state intervention to correct perceived injustices and equalize opportunity.
A general meaning is any attempt by a government to alter society. Whether a government is supporting or altering a society depends upon what is the purpose of government, although few governments practice social engineering on satisfactory citizens.
