So what characterizes “social engineering” in your world? To take some examples, the Judeo-Christian value system discourages unwarranted taking of human life (murder). By contrast, some cultures have concepts like an “honor killing”. Is a law against murder an example of social engineering?
How about laws against explicit racial discrimination — in employment, housing, transportion, education, retail? Are those social engineering?
How about tax deductions for dependents? Is that social engineering to encourage people to have kids? How about offering “family rate” deals (eg: the pool fees in our town)?
How about patents and copyrights? These are legal structures aimed at encouraging creative endeavors, on the assumption that such activity is in our collective interest?
I am curious about how clearly you can distinguish between social engineering and acceptable laws and regulation. I am concerned that a label of “social engineering” could become a general purpose method of detracting from whatever one opposes — subjectively applied very differently by left and right as you describe — unless there is some relatively objective distinction which all rational people can understand.
I share some of your stated concerns and observations, but I’m yet not sure that your proposed framing is a solid or appropriate response, versus just another subjective rhetorical tactic to twist to each side’s advantage.
You can however count on me as an ally in regard to freedom of speech versus trusting that some empowered gatekeepers will always exercise appropriate judgement.
