In the engineered society, the goal is to eliminate or limit violations by controlling the physical environment. Ideally, problems are simply designed away; when that isn't possible, deterrence is created by reducing the gain or making identification and apprehension likely. Why bother with the unpleasantness of victimization and the messiness and cost of locating violators when you can prevent violations instead? The criminal justice system is perceived as an anachronism whose agents serve only to shoot the wounded after the battle is over. (gary marx, the engineering of social control, 1995
(found via bruce schneier)

gary t marx,an emeritus of sociology at m.i.t. identifies six social-engineering strategies:

Target Removal: Something that is not there cannot be taken Target Devaluation: The target remains, but its unattractive Target Insulation: The target remains, but is protected Offender Incapacitation: Dietary engineering is a related area. older versions: chemical castration or cutting off the hands of pickpockets. Offender Exclusion: The offender, rather than the potential target, is restricted. Programs to combat truancy fit here. Offense, Offender, and Target Identification: (it is rumored that in one thumbprint system, if the print doesn't match, a giant robotic arm comes down and clasps the interloper's arm until a guard arrives)

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maybe while thinking/rethinking what social software should/can/would mean, its worthwhile to consider old tactics of social engineering.