Reaction against State Regulation. In the opening years of the 20th century, the increasing number of State regulations and restrictions in all aspects of national life led to a reaction against the growing functions and powers of the present-day State. Political thinkers began to criticise its increasing functions and powers, and preach a new kind of Individualism, which is described as “Modern Individualism”.
Thus, as Joad puts it, “the reaction against Individualism has produced a reaction in its turn.
The wheel has turned full circle, and the present dissatisfaction with the State has promoted a revival of Individualist thinking akin in spirit though not in form to the Individualism of the nineteenth century.”