rationalhardcore times

Wikipedia says of punk ideology:
[Punk ideology is concerned with the individual's intrinsic right to freedom, and a less restricted lifestyle. Punk ethics espouse the role of personal choice in the development of, and pursuit of, greater freedom. Common punk ethics include a radical rejection of conformity, the DIY (Do It Yourself) ethic, direct action for political change, and not selling out to mainstream interests for personal gain.]

Few people who identify as “punks” would disagree with the above statement, but strangely, just as few are willing to admit libertarianism and pure capitalism are
what allow one to pursue these punk goals. I am talking about the ability to act freely and to do with one’s resources as one chooses.

To add injury to insult, leftist politics actually hinder one’s ability to pursue the stated goals of “punk ideology”. One has less ability to do as he chooses when he and his resources are tied up in forced group goals. One’s hard-earned money is stolen and treated as if it naturally belongs to the government, then is spent on several things that person may actually be against. Not only is this not freedom, but it is slavery toward the creation of worse conditions for the slave. What if this slave was freed and allowed to either keep and save his money or pool it with like-minded individuals as he chooses? It is worth noting in passing that many causes of the leftist/mainstream variety are poorly conceived or even meant to reinforce slavery and prevent freedom. This is where punk ideology’s supposed “radical rejection of conformity” should spark some original thought to analyze and criticize the effects and intentions of such popular causes and forced policies.

DIY, or “Do It Yourself”, is about the creative use of one’s resources. It also means being willing to try to do things in a new way when conforming to the established mainstream pattern is less appealing but perhaps more socially acceptable/expectable.

Anarchy is the absence of rulers/government. True anarchy is pure libertarianism. Many call themselves “anarchists” for dramatic effect, when they are usually variations of radical socialists who would tear down current government for the purpose of placing their preferred coercive government in its place. True anarchy (sometimes called “anarcho-capitalism” or “private property anarchy”) and libertarianism are about making most or all things voluntary. In a true anarchist environment, if one believes in socialism, he may find other socialist volunteers to form a socialist group that does not force itself upon those who want no part in that group’s actions. Others may avoid socialism and government altogether. The point is the voluntary nature of these actions. It all comes down to the Non-Aggression Axiom.

With the libertarian implications of punk ideology’s goals in mind, “selling out” to mainstream interests for personal gain could mean either compromising one’s libertarian approach or, arguably, taking an opportunity for personal gain at the expense of the libertarian cause (which is a cause that promotes true justice). The actions taken by punks themselves can come into play when a voluntary shift in resources can lead to greater liberty for oneself or for others.

Libertarianism and anarcho-capitalism lead to fewer or no government-created “laws”, but it does not mean “might makes right”. Actually, “might makes right” is characteristic of the mob or gang mentality inherent in democratic and/or socialist government. Instances involving trespass upon another person’s life, liberty, or property are still identified. As Butler Schaeffer has noted, most of what people do when interacting in the current state of affairs is an anarchistic expression. In a more libertarian society, we could live much as we do now, but with more freedom and without the excessive rules and unjust force exercised on us by a collective that has the might to do so … a group that happens to call itself the state. Shrinking government and its power gets us closer to that society.

Punk ideology’s goals can only be fulfilled through libertarianism.