This paper attempts to analyze rave culture from a sociological point of view. The document is just an overview and not an in-depth analysis of any particular aspect of the rave culture. The document covers the history of rave culture, rave spirituality, and rave politics, in relation to Hakim Bey's writings on the creation of a Temporary Autonomous Zone. The final section of the document also analyzes the appropriation of rave culture by the State (government). When one examines any cultural movement, it is always useful to examine the roots of that movement. It is the history of the movement that gives us some understanding of the reason where we are now.
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Sommaire de l'exposé
History
A new deviant subculture based on a social ritual
The Music and the Shaman
The Tribe or The people
Another risky tools of the rave ceremony: Drugs
A subculture with its own philosophy: Rave Spirituality and value system
A subculture with its political system: Rave Politics and the creation of a TAZ
Extraits de l'exposé
[...] However, the underground -or spirit- remains part of the scene today. It is impossible to find out what raves are going on, unless you are actually at a rave and pick up the flyers (or know where to look on the Internet). Even then, usually only a telephone number is given. When the night of the event comes, the telephone number will often direct you to a checkpoint where you can finally pick up directions on where the party is. [...]
[...] Many ravers pass out candy to other ravers, or water. Rave spirituality, while taking many different forms (even dark forms sometimes) can be linked to PLUR. It is a general feeling of respect for the earth, respect for each other, and respect for oneself while being immersed in total happiness for one night. It is getting into the communal vibe that is present. It is the creation of a temporary space where the only rule is love and the only preaching is loud music. [...]
[...] Will PLUR be forever lost to consumerism, or will it just be temporarily clouded over? Is the destiny of all socially deviant subculture to disappear being destroyed by mainstream society? Is that a merciless sociological rule? Bibliography Books Collin, Matthew. Altered State: The Story of Ecstasy Culture and Acid House. New York: Serpent's Tail Periodicals and Newspapers Boy, Zero. "Hakim Bey. The Temporary Autonomous Zone: Maximizing the Potential for Emergence." High Times June 1995. Simmons, Melody. "Hayden Urges Probe of All-Night Party." The Baltimore Sun 03 Jan Small, Glen. [...]
[...] It is a religion based on shared experience. Individual religious beliefs are integrated into the larger, unified experience. Many rave flyers use pagan and religious symbols. Enlightenment is a common theme, as well as love and kindness. You can have your rules and your prayers, we have this: "We live hard we commune with the midnight hour and ride it out until daybreak armed with lights and lasers and booming bass. While our parents are in bed, we hug [each other] and hear a sound so moving that we throw ourselves into it seeking to [break] that barrier that tries to keep the body separate from the sound Hemingway had his bullfights. [...]
[...] The rave scene grew in America in 1993 and 1994. While the rave scenes in England and Germany were becoming commercial empires, the American rave scene still had its fresh idealism. There were now raves happening across the country, in all of the states. The rave scene was here. Now that I have examined the roots of the US rave scene I would like to expand upon them and examine the tree and the leaves that have grown from these roots. [...]
Sciences humaines & sociales 
