The American Revolution was a conservative reaction against an Empire that was reversing its benign neglect to active interference in its colonies due to the increasing military cost. While certain ideas came about which were novel at the time, the net effect of the revolution led to fairly little change in American social structures. Most revolutions against the Spanish and Portuguese Empires at the time followed this model as well.

The revolution which put the Taliban in power, in contrast, induced a much larger change in Afghan society. The revolution was led by conservative elements, but it still led to a much larger change overall.