Abstract
Is there something unique about the post-socialist experience when it comes to youth subcultures and politics? Do subcultures formed and developed in the Eastern bloc behave differently compared to the Western European ones? What influenced the process of politicization and depoliticization of subcultures like metal, punk, skinhead or hip-hop? The interdisciplinary research team offers different perspectives on the role of politics in youth subcultures primarily in the post-socialist space of Czechoslovakia and later the Czech Republic. The book opens with two chapters discussing the theoretical framework and the relevance of terms such as subculture, scene, and social movement as well as their mutual relationship.
The case studies explore forms of politics within youth subcultures. You can find out how the perception of punk used to differ between Eastern and Western Europe; how did the attitude toward politics in the metal subculture vary around and after the Velvet Revolution; how did the racist branch of skinhead subculture emerge and develop over time; or what is the difference between political rap and hip-hop activism and what does it have to do with the notion of authenticity.
You can also learn about the founding myths related to the 'golden age' of techno, punk and Czech underground. Stepping out of the area of the Czech Republic, the book also includes a chapter on the politicization of Romanian Manele, subculture associated with the Balkan Roma.