The relationship between White Power Rock (WPR) music scene and White Power Movement (WPM) is characterised by a combination of mutual dependence and support. Internet plays a critical role in the conservation and empowering of this... more
The relationship between White Power Rock (WPR) music scene and White Power Movement (WPM) is characterised by a combination of mutual dependence and support. Internet plays a critical role in the conservation and empowering of this relationship.
The aim of this thesis is to investigate the association between WPR music scene and WPM through the discourse expressed in the internet by the fans of WPR. The subject is first approached from a sociological perspective; it follows a historical retrospect of the British and Italian WPR music scene, from the „80s until today. Finally, we present the original findings of a research performed in four internet forums, two Greek and two Italian. The research was carried on from 1/8/10 to 10/12/10.
The methodology used for data collection was that of the “visitor”/observer. Data was analysed according to the following thematic topics: music, political ideology, nationalism and racism, homophobia and sexism, football partisan/followers, and the language used.
The main findings were: 1) Most music choices of all forum members are related to WPR. All forum members listening WPR belong to WPM. 2) In Italian forums, the variety of music choices shown by their members was larger than in Greek ones, while their knowledge of various music genders seemed to be higher. 3) The avatars and usernames of forum members emphasize significantly the loyalty of their holders to WPM, and they are representative of their political ideology. 4) Nationalism, racism and homophobia were evident in all forums studied. Sexism was observed mainly among football partisans/followers of a Greek forum, and, at a lower level or even not at all, in the Italian forums. 5) A strong association between partisanship (mainly football focused), neofascism and WPR was constantly observed in internet discussions that were analysed. 6) An interesting divergence concerning the level of quality of discussion was noticed: members of Greek forums were being using more often than not weak arguments while in the Italian forums a more influential political discourse was frequently applied.
In conclusion, we found in this thesis substantial evidence supporting the use of White Power Rock by members of selected Greek and Italian internet forums as a favourable occasion to manifest their political ideology and that WPR refers directly to White Power Movement.
Key words
autonomous nationalism • far right • fascism • homophobia • partisanship • music scene • neonazism • online research • political ideology • racism • sexism • subculture • White Power Movement • White Power Rock
The aim of this thesis is to investigate the association between WPR music scene and WPM through the discourse expressed in the internet by the fans of WPR. The subject is first approached from a sociological perspective; it follows a historical retrospect of the British and Italian WPR music scene, from the „80s until today. Finally, we present the original findings of a research performed in four internet forums, two Greek and two Italian. The research was carried on from 1/8/10 to 10/12/10.
The methodology used for data collection was that of the “visitor”/observer. Data was analysed according to the following thematic topics: music, political ideology, nationalism and racism, homophobia and sexism, football partisan/followers, and the language used.
The main findings were: 1) Most music choices of all forum members are related to WPR. All forum members listening WPR belong to WPM. 2) In Italian forums, the variety of music choices shown by their members was larger than in Greek ones, while their knowledge of various music genders seemed to be higher. 3) The avatars and usernames of forum members emphasize significantly the loyalty of their holders to WPM, and they are representative of their political ideology. 4) Nationalism, racism and homophobia were evident in all forums studied. Sexism was observed mainly among football partisans/followers of a Greek forum, and, at a lower level or even not at all, in the Italian forums. 5) A strong association between partisanship (mainly football focused), neofascism and WPR was constantly observed in internet discussions that were analysed. 6) An interesting divergence concerning the level of quality of discussion was noticed: members of Greek forums were being using more often than not weak arguments while in the Italian forums a more influential political discourse was frequently applied.
In conclusion, we found in this thesis substantial evidence supporting the use of White Power Rock by members of selected Greek and Italian internet forums as a favourable occasion to manifest their political ideology and that WPR refers directly to White Power Movement.
Key words
autonomous nationalism • far right • fascism • homophobia • partisanship • music scene • neonazism • online research • political ideology • racism • sexism • subculture • White Power Movement • White Power Rock
