After several months of intense research, which involved posing as bar staff during a line dance gathering, I am still no closer to understanding the true nature of this bizarre passtime.
The basic premise seems to be this:

1) The "people" gather in the center of the room in such a way as to suggsest standing in a line in a way that actually standing in a line never could. An air of silent anticipation usually hangs in the air at about this point.

2) Music is played, usually by Leanne Rhymes or some other pseudo-country singer, through two large and extremely dated speakers at sound levels verging on the intolerable.

3) Carefully choreographed dance routines are eschewed in favour of walking backwards, then forwards, then backwards again, sometimes this sequence may incorporate a turn. While movement takes place a look of grim determination is held on the faces of all involved.

4) The song finishes and everyone rushes to the bar whilst complaing about either the dance, the music, or both.

Although line dancing is a tedious, formulaic, and totally uninspiring form of expression it attracts the young and old alike.