Representing a great variety of types and theories, they were largely a response to the disintegration of previous cultural patterns, coupled with new patterns of production, specifically the rise of industrial capitalism.
Esindades suurt hulka teooriaid, olid need suures osas vastus eelnevate kultuuriliste mudelite lagunemisele, seotud uute tootmismudelite, eriti tööstusliku kapitalismi tõusuga.