Abstract
The essay argues that the European phenomenon of football hooliganism should be discussed in the context of the process of internationalization and standardization of youth subcultures. In outlining general developmental steps soccer hooliganism in Austria is being discussed to illustrate this argument. The essay distinguishes three different ‘fan-generations’ which came into being in a context of changing social conditions especially regarding the social circumstances, the situation of the job market, a changing security policy, changes in the sport itself as well as general international influences. Focusing on the specific internal structures of the different fan cultures the essay describes each of these ‘generations’ separately and tries to answer the following questions:
Can we detect fundamental changes in the styles, norms and moral standards of the fans within these subcultures since they first appeared in the seventies? Can we detect changes in the environment which the fans live in, and, if so, in which way do these changes affect the fans? Can we detect generation gaps within the fan-population? In which way does the change from one generation to the next proceed?
Finally, the essay gives a description of the present situation, which is characterized by the existence of a ‘postmodern’ mixture of various styles. Against a generally peaceful background a tendency of a new (self)destructive violence can be seen among very young (13, 14, 15 years of age) supporters in the cities of Vienna and Linz.
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