Punk ideologies are a group of varied social and political beliefs associated with the
punk subculture. This article provides a rough generalization of the philosophies of individuals who identify themselves as punks and doesn't completely represent the views of all of those who do so.
In its original nature, the punk culture has been primarily concerned with individual freedom, which tends to create beliefs in concepts such as individualism, anti-authoritarianism, anarchism and free thought. Punk ideologies have often included a critical view of the world; seeing modern day societies as placing extensive limits on humanity. Punk ideologies are usually expressed through punk rock music, punk zines, independently-published literature and spoken word recordings.
Punk culture originated as a movement of shock, rebellion, and discontent; and from certain points-of-view, it has evolved into an overt socio-political movement. The political ideology most often associated with punk is anarchism; however, punk has also been associated with other leftist ideologies such as social liberalism, socialism and communism. Despite the association that punk ideologies have with the left wing, some punks perceive the efforts of leftists as ineffectual, and sometimes just as objectionable as the right wing. Right-wing ideologies have appeared within punk culture, including conservatism and neo-Nazism.
Punks sometimes participate in direct action such as protests, boycotts, and in some cases, violence. Some of the most militant punks have bombed gas stations, destroyed animal research laboratories, altered billboards to include political messages, and occupied abandoned buildings. These acts are committed in an effort to create social change when it is felt that the normal channels for change have been proven ineffective. See songs on direct action.
