Rave Against The Machine - A Discourse Analysis of Activism and Cultural Preservation amidst Urban Development in Berlin

Sammanfattning

This thesis explores the discursive elements and practices of the activist community resisting the construction of the 17th extension of the A100 Highway in eastern Berlin. Focusing on linguistic strategies, rhetorical devices and methods of activism employed by actors opposing the highway project, this study utilises a combination of Manuel Castells’ Urban Social Movement Theory and Norman Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis method (CDA) to examine how grassroots initiatives articulate their opposition and mobilise community support to influence policy-making and urban development in the state of Berlin. Through analysis of semi-structured interviews, protest letters and media communications, this thesis identifies discursive elements such as emotive language, metaphors, modalities, framings of power & conflict dynamics as well as the use of digital media platforms. The otherwise quite diverse union of club-cultural, environmental, social and residential actors are able to find common ground in their resistance; positioning themselves against dominant institutional forces that supposedly prioritises economic development and car-centric infrastructure over environmental, cultural and social well-being. Additionally, the use of “protest raves” as means of discursive practice and mobilising is identified.. Often rooted in the club-cultural sphere of Berlin, activists utilise these protest raves as both a symbolic and a practical tool to embed their actions within Berlin’s unique club culture to garner wider public engagement. It also highlights the central role of cultural preservation and community space protection within the discourse of resistance.