In society, most often, a term such as social development is used. It indicates any improvements that bring positive results. However, there are also social changes that have a generally neutral effect. They do not contain an evaluation component. That is, social development is certain processes that have a positive result. The changes are quite neutral. They simply occur as a result of any historical processes.
Social change can be divided into several levels. Consider them all. Short-term changes occur in a short time frame. For example, it could be an organizational restructuring of the authorities. Long-term changes require a large amount of time for their implementation. For example, it can be a restructuring of the mores, norms, or traditions of people.
Partial social changes are also highlighted. Their distinctive feature is that they affect only certain segments of reality. For example, this may be a restructuring of the industrial management structure or the higher education system. There are also changes affecting most areas of public life.
The changes under consideration affect, first of all, various social institutions. In particular, groups and communities, certain processes, organizations. Social changes can occur at the level of interpersonal relationships. For example, the functions and structure of the family are changing. Perestroika can also occur at the level of various institutions and organizations. For example, social change can affect education and science. Perestroika also occurs at the level of small and large groups. In particular, the structure of the working class is changing, new social groups are appearing . Restructuring can occur at a global level. For example, this includes environmental threats, migration processes.
Social change can be divided into four categories. They are determined on the basis of which particular sphere is undergoing restructuring. Consider all four categories.
There are structural social changes. For example, they may relate to a family institution. Interpersonal relationships can change in the direction of monogamy or polygamy, large families or small families. Perestroika may also concern professional groups, a nation, the structure of power and administration, and society as a whole. These include changes affecting science, education, religion.
Perestroika can also occur in any social processes. That is, these are changes relating to the relationships between different societies, individuals, institutions and structures. For example, this is a restructuring in the field of equality, solidarity, subordination, tolerance and so on.
Functional changes affect the functions of various organizations, systems and institutions. So new functions may arise, or the old ones are improved. Consider a simple example. In connection with the new constitutions of the Russian Federation, the functions of the legislative and executive powers have substantially changed.
Perestroika also affects the spiritual realms. In particular, the structure of motivation for collective and individual activity may change. Perestroika affects the values, norms, goals, and ideals of people. For example, the transition to a market economy has significantly changed the motivational structure of society. A signal to the activity is personal money earnings, enrichment, climbing the career ladder. Such changes affect the thoughts, values, worldview and norms of large social groups.