Exploring the political and social role of illegal rave parties in Italy

The purpose of this study is to explore the social and political role of rave parties in contemporary Italy, a need that arises especially in the wake of the new Italian government's decision to make such gatherings illegal and punishable under criminal law. To examine how these parties carve out a social and political role for themselves within this context, this thesis addresses the question: How and to what extent are rave parties to be considered as social rituals which promote social community and produce political energy? Following on from that, what indeed is their political and social role in contemporary Italy? This research was conducted using an in-depth qualitative, semi-structured interview-based approach. Four experts were interviewed, meaning journalists, writers and artists who have had an interest in the sociologically related fields of rave culture, as well as six self-identified and active 'ravers', i.e. those who assiduously attend rave parties, both in Italy and abroad. These data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach, and with the help of the ATLAS.TI software. My analysis and findings reveal a new social and political trend among young ravers, driven by a new vision of community and solidarity and in step with new issues important to generations X and Z, such as sexual and gender fluidity, sustainability and renewability. I argue that this renewed interest in rave culture shows how the latter continues to offer a site of social ritual, of community, and indeed of political critique in Italy today.