Legislating the Taboo: Taboo Subcultures, Political Communication, and Public Policy

<p>This dissertation, titled "Legislating the Taboo: From Subculture to Public Policy," comprises three articles that collectively delve into the intersection of taboo subcultures, political communication, and public policy. While the fields of sociology and anthropology more thoroughly explore the concepts of "taboo" and "subcultures," political science has not given them due attention. This research seeks to bridge this gap by examining how taboo subcultures evolve into political constituencies with policy demands and how these demands are communicated through various mediums, including mainstream and social media.</p> <p>The first article, "Virtual Dance Communities and The Right to the Internet," investigates how the underground dance music scene adapted to virtual platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring the political dimensions of this subculture's resilience. The second article, "Refreshing the Psychedelic Narrative Policy Image," analyzes the changing landscape of psychedelic drug policy, focusing on the role of activists and media in shaping a positive narrative. The third article, "Game-Framing The Tampon Tax," co-authored with Sara De Benedictis and Kaitlynn Mendes, explores the media framing of the tampon tax debate, revealing the influence of game frames on policy discussions.</p> <p>A common thread in these articles is the identification of focusing events that propel taboo issues onto policy agendas. The dissertation contributes valuable insights into the political dynamics of taboo subcultures and their implications for policymaking and democracy. The author's personal experiences, rooted in exploring countercultures and organizing underground dance parties, underscore the motivation behind each study, highlighting the interconnectedness of personal interests and academic pursuits.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Political Science

Grantor

The Graduate School and University Center of The City University of New York

Year dc:date.available

2024

Author dc:creator

• Krisel, Rebecca S

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• John Mollenkopf

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Keena Lipsitz
• John Krinsky

• Communication Technology and New Media
• Public Policy
• Social Media
• Urban Studies
• social movements
• taboo
• media
• psychedelics

Repository record dc:identifier

https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/5851

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:academicworks.cuny.edu:gc_etds-6913