Game in the Brain

Options in Combat engage us by giving us Power over the situation. I believe that the thrill of Combat is in the Thrill of being Empowered. Social Situations are more complicated and unlike Thrusts, Blocks, and Swings, they are not as Tangible to an Audience or any onlookers – but the Barbs, the Punching-Down, the Shade, and all the Tactics that Go into Social Conflict is real and something even more painful – given how much people feel disempowered by the complexity or how the Perception may stray from the Reality. 

I dont want to go into the Many Models in detail – GURPS with the many splat books and skills have a TON of options but is subject to a Lot of GM’s fiat, L5R and WOD is known for this by giving Characters a Score to measure their Humanity, Honor, and Internal Fortitude and having some Actions specifically named, and D&D has a very basic one with a limited set of conditions.  Then there are those in REAL LIFE which are modeled in Books (and Role-playing Exercises) in Humble Inquiry, Socratic Method, Influence Skills, Negotiation Skills, Due Diligence Skills, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Cognitive Analytic Therapy, etc… 

1. Do we want to explore Social Actions? 
2. Do we want players to MASTER social Actions as much as they master Weapon maneuver Options?
3. Do we as a GM want to be versed in the Social Warfare of Aggregated Social Challenges of a Much Greater Social Challenge? 
4. What is scary and uncomfortable about Social problems in the Games? What are the barriers to entry?
5. What would make it engaging?