Punk ideologies are a group of varied social and political beliefs associated with the
punk subculture. In its original incarnation, the punk subculture was primarily concerned with concepts such as
rebellion,
anti-authoritarianism,
individualism,
free thought and discontent. Punk ideologies are usually expressed through
punk rock music,
punk literature,
spoken word recordings,
punk fashion or
punk visual art. Some punks have participated in
direct action, such as
protests,
boycotts,
squatting, vandalism or violence.
One notable attitude common within the punk subculture is the opposition to selling out, which refers to abandonment of personal values in exchange for wealth, status or power. Because anti-establishment and anti-capitalist attitudes are such an important part of the punk subculture, a network of independent record labels, venues and distributors has developed. Some punk bands have chosen to break from this independent system and work within the established system of major labels. Some punks argue that these artists have betrayed their communities, and that their creative integrity has become compromised. However, some artists argue that working in the major label system allows for the widest distribution of their messages. Another meaning of selling out is for a punk band to change its musical style, such as to progressive rock, pop or heavy metal. Selling out also has the meaning of adopting a more conservative, mainstream lifestyle and ideology.
The political ideology most often associated with punk is anarchism, and punk has also been associated with other leftist ideologies such as socialism and social liberalism. Some punks, however, perceive leftists as ineffectual, and sometimes just as objectionable as right wingers. Two non-leftist ideologies that have appeared within punk culture are conservatism and neo-Nazism. Philosophical ideologies within the punk subculture include atheism, agnosticism, Christianity, Islam, the Rastafari movement and Hare Krishna (especially amongst the 1980s straight edge scene).
Many punks who support anarchism are known as anarcho-punks. However, some well-known punk bands, such as the Sex Pistols and The Exploited sing about anarchy but do not use the word in the sense of anarchism as a specific political philosophy. As such, they are not considered part of the anarcho-punk genre.[1] Notable anarchist punks include Tom Gabel, Steve Ignorant, Penny Rimbaud, Eve Libertine, Gee Vaucher, Jack Grisham, Colin Jerwood, Dave Dictor and Jello Biafra.
