Reproducing Cultural Goods as a Collective Effort of Identity Building in Italy

The article assesses the effects of consumption trends on the process of political identity building for individuals, focusing on a case study represented by a confederation of six cultural youth clubs. The ARCI confederation is a well known left-wing organisation, which has engaged in a profound reconceptualisation of its political stance over the last two decades. Our research assesses the cultural supply and demand of ARCI as it influences the political identity building of its members. The essential feature of ARCI clubs is that they are self-managing units, collectively deciding on their cultural production. Thanks to the quali-quantitative research strategy, the article is able to portray the differences between those who decide and those who merely consume. It thus provides valuable insights into the role played by the process of self-identification in the task of cultural re-production, and highlights the importance of the circular relationship between consumption trends and group identity building.