Network Analysis and theories of subculture:

Claude Fischer makes a contribution to the theory of urbanism through his attention to the emergence of subcultures. He argues that critical mass (number) in cities have independent effects in fostering ‘subcultures’. The emergence of subcultures fosters the further creation of more subcultures. In other words, greater size and density creates more heterogeneity.

Fischer downplays the effect of anomie and sees the city and its subcultures as a vital force for the amplifying of cultural experience and human creativity. Subcultures mark the emancipation of the individual from traditional controls and conventions while providing a new set of subgroup identities and communities. In this way, they counterbalance some of the alienation and normlessness, the spiritual anxieties and social disorders found in our cities and marketplaces, resulting from the breakdown of traditional customs and primary relationships. Subcultures are seen as a means of defying and criticizing the established cultural dominance. The form can be music- rap, punk, baul music in India.