UK punk and politics 1975 – 84
Punk was a conspiracy to ‘encourage dissent between generations as a way of diverting attention from deteriorating social conditions’. They argued that BBC censorship of p unk records was a government ‘ . . . ploy intended to build up p unk’s image as anti - establishment’ . This may seem farfetched, but the PCA’s condemnation of p unk may be rooted in what Dancis argues is the ‘ . . . the friendly attitude of rival left groups towards the new music’, most notably the Communist Party of Great Britain. 17 Unlike the PCA, the Communist Party of Great Britain was staunchly in favour of punk. AnthonyWall, a music critic for the party, stated that punk ban ds ‘ . . . attack enemies that rock has rarely dealt with previously’. He praised bands like the Clash who used ‘their music to protest against the frustrations and conditions that afflict working class youth’. 18 To the Communist Party of Great Britain, punk was a movement that should be supported by all leftist ideologies andwas vital in raising class consciousness. In summary, the compatibility of an ideology with the punk movement relies not merely on economic ideology, but also on the extent of its authoritarianism. It is logical that the PCA and the USSR take negative stances towards punk as these political groups were founded on Marxist-Leninist beliefs and are authoritarian. Likewise, given that punk ideology challenges directly the state, authority and the status quo, it is understandable that libertarian socialist organizations would be supportive.
CONCLUSION
The evidence and sources in this dissertation show that punk was not as straightforward as tabloids might have suggested. The movement was not one of mindless violence, aggression and hatred, but rather, a well-considered set of beliefs (withminor differences in ideology across the various subgenres) and a world view that strived for positive social change. This dissertation has three main conclusions – that punk was (and is) inherently anti-capitalist, libertarian and revolutionary: Anti-capitalism . Punk is anti-capitalist due to the socio-economic circumstances from which it emerged. During the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, discontent with society was commonplace. Lack of opportunities for young people and unemployment was rampant. Many attributed this to stagnation of capitalism – a stagnation that was also apparent in the music industry. In the eyes of many, mainstream music had become a formulaic, corporate cash grab. Punks also held anarchist beliefs and opposed all unjust hierarchies and authority. Capitalism, by its very nature, relies on hierarchy to function. Hence, punk was anti-capitalist. Libertarianism . Above all else, punk focused on individual autonomy, anti-authoritarianism and liberty. Punk does not oppose specific economic system, but rather challenges the idea of the state and authority. As a subversive musical movement, punk was critical of any ruling body or establishment, whether was communist or capitalist. By its very nature punk is incompatible with authoritarian regimes of any variety. Revolutionary . Finally, punk challenges the status quo and is blatantly revolutionary seeking to unite all individuals regardless of race through collective solidarity. Like all subversive art forms, punk represents a musical struggle against authority, unjust social hierarchy and the status quo .
17 Dancis 1978:60. 18 Ibid.: 60.
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