These are still changes of rule structure, albeit social rather than scientific. Observe society-changing templates from unexpected sources. Look at how Henry Ford changed the world with assemble-line mass production techniques. Look at how the NASA Space Programme has changed our world in a few decades with its distribution of advanced technology. They should be observed for effects but not carbon-copied because no situation is ever alike.
Necessity changes society.
It doesn't stand-still. The rule structure is changing. Don't ever consider your reality is unlikely to change as these are the points of most interest. How your society got there provides much needed history in its broadest terms. Rules in SF are continually broken with rarely any good explanation for them because it's convenient.