Social Engineering and the Law

Paper Summary:

The writer explains that law is one of the best mechanisms for social engineering, because the law dictates desired behaviors and prohibited behaviors and prescribes punishments for failure to adhere to those dictates. The writer refers to the change in America's attitude toward race and segregation as an example of the law as social engineering. The writer relates that if he were in the position to enact laws, he would work on bolstering the concept of the nuclear family in American society.

From the Paper:

"Social engineering refers to the idea that something can be "purposefully used as a tool to intentionally shape society." (Schmalieger, 2002, p.14). Law is one of the best mechanisms for social engineering, because the law dictates desired behaviors and prohibited behaviors, and prescribes punishments for failure to adhere to those dictates. Oftentimes, laws simply codify existing societal norms. However, one of the most remarkable aspects of law is that law can actually be used to substantially modify social norms, which means that it is a very effective social engineering mechanism."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Schmalieger, F. ed. (2002). Criminal law today: an introduction with capstone cases. City ofPublication: Prentice-Hall.

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