I Vote and I Tote: Moral Panics, Resistance, and the Failure of Quiet Regulation

The term moral panic has entered the media-and-popular-culture lexicon, but retains a particular meaning for sociologists. This chapter expands on existing models of moral panics and outlines a case study that illustrates that folk devils have fought back in recent years, using technologies such as social media to present their arguments (in this instance, turning a local political controversy in Melbourne, in the Australian State of Victoria, to their advantage). The battle began over a classic law-and-order issue, that is, the problem of alcohol-related violence, especially as it involves young people. However, the conflict took an unexpected turn when the folk devils successfully used the media to prosecute their case and force the state government’s hand.