As a radical change in social systems and structure, social revolution may result in or be aided by revolution, or may occur over time within the existing social and political framework. But legal and other institutions may not adapt fast enough to cope with social trends, and the persistence of traditional attitudes may result in lack of identity and social adaptation.
In communist countries, social change has been synonymous with economic and political revolution. In 'Western' industrialized countries, permissive society and the breakdown of the extended family is largely a result of technological change and a liberalizing of attitudes towards morality.