'Opposition machen wir!' Youth and the contestation of civic and political legitimacy in Germany

Abstract

Today's young Germans are largely seen as either 'troublemakers' or apolitical hedonists. These designations are played off each other, sometimes by young people themselves, contributing to a tension between youth subcultures and the civil society around them. In this context, the category of youth seems easy for civic authorities to manipulate, but young people have maintained ways to undermine that control and hold onto their efficacy. This article explores these themes within the context of a Nürnberg youth/community center, discussing its history and relation to the more visible world of 'techno' culture.