A local council is reviewing whether to continue funding a monthly night-time street event called Laneway Lights. The event is organised through a mix of Instagram stories, Discord servers and word-of-mouth. It includes pop-up DJ sets, street photography, thrift stalls and a “silent disco” where attendees connect their own headphones to a shared playlist.
A council officer argues that Laneway Lights is a “real community” because it brings people together in the same physical space. Another officer argues it is “not a real community” because most attendees do not know each other personally, many attend only once or twice, and the group changes rapidly depending on trends.
A sociology student conducts brief, unobtrusive observations at three events and also collects publicly available posts tagged #LanewayLights over the same period. The student notices that many participants also belong to other overlapping groups (e.g. sneaker collectors, local DJs, street photographers, university club nights) and that some people describe the laneway itself as a key part of the vibe and identity of the event.
c. Evaluate the council officer’s claim that Laneway Lights is “not a real community”. Using Maffesoli’s theory of neo-tribes, make a justified judgment about the extent to which Laneway Lights can be considered a community in contemporary society.
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Create Free Account Log inThis is a free VCE Units 3 & 4 Sociology practice question worth 7 marks, testing your understanding of Maffesoli's neo-tribes. It falls under Community in Unit 4: Community, social movements and social change. Submit your answer above to receive instant AI-powered marking and personalised feedback.
In this unit, students explore the ways sociologists have thought about the idea of community and how various types of community are experienced. They examine the relationship between social movements and social change, including the nature, purpose, power, and outcomes of social movements.
Students examine the changing definitions and experiences of community, including the theories of Ferdinand Tonnies and Michel Maffesoli. They analyse factors influencing belonging, the impact of technology, economic, social, political, and geographical factors, and evaluate a specific community experience, considering ethical research methodology.
Michel Maffesoli’s theory of neo-tribes
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