Oppositional movements against the "rationality" of industrial society, or at least an uneasy feeling in the face of industrial civilization have been with the "modern age" right from the beginning. These counter-movements were interpreted by the mainstream of development as the rearguard actions of "reactionary" minorities; as a "critique of civilization" by a few philosophers who deplored the loss of privilege by a declining class, or as a 'storming of the machines' by a few craftsmen who lacked proper historical foresight. There was general conviction that, as history progressed, science and technology would progressively unfold the productive forces sweeping away any doubts, because the rationality of the new production methods would bring about undreamed-of advantages for everyone, only provided that they spread widely and rapidly to embrace all areas of production and reproduction.