Conclusion. In conclusion, the main area of similarity between the Styliagi and the Foxtrotters (Flappers) was in their contextual origin

In conclusion, the main area of similarity between the Styliagi and the Foxtrotters (Flappers) was in their contextual origin. By analysing NEP and Late-Stalinism I conclude that both periods satisfied the three preconditions proposed by Edele. As expected, the nature of Foxtrotters and Styliagi proved largely similar due to the large extent of US cultural influence.

However, although enjoying post-war life and transcending class were common motivations amongst both groups, there is a difference in the extent to which the motivation of the subcultures was a conscious protest. Styliagi were much more explicitly a protest movement, while Flappers and Foxtrotters were not motivated by protest but rather by the desire to make full use of the relaxation of the NEP. Moreover, although the nature of Styliagi movement had many developments of style it was still much more coherent than the nature of Foxtrotters and Flappers.

Overall, Styliagi were recognized as a specific subculture by their contemporaries, while Foxtrotters and Flappers were identified as delinquent youth in general. This could explain the lack of research done about the later. This was a problem for my investigation as the number of sources available about Styliagi was overwhelmingly bigger. It was only A.Gorsuch, who explicitly used the terms Foxtrotters and Flappers, while other historians and contemporaries simply refer to the same group of youth as delinquent.

Unresolved questions remain. The motivation behind the subcultures was difficult to assess as any subculture consists of individuals, who can have different motivations but similar ways of expression. Very few testimonies from either subculture’s members exist, since Soviet era historians and social commentators didn’t consider the study of their motivations as worthwhile. This also explains why most historiography available is from Western analysis. Any studies that were carried out by the officials were biased as they had an aim of condemning the delinquent youth groups. Similarly, the assessment of the scope of the movements was hard to carry out, as there was no data available with approximate numbers of the subculture members.

Finally a more detailed account of Komsomol’s actions towards the subcultures and its role in bringing the delinquent youth into line would have been interesting but lies outside the scope of my question.

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