Abstract
A comparative analysis of subcultures and social movements highlights similarities and differences between the two concepts. Broadly speaking, subcultures tend not to be focused on the political sphere while social movements, as traditionally understood, have a predominantly political orientation. While some scholars have been interested in social movement cultures, this became a key focus following the “cultural turn” in the social sciences that occurred toward the end of the twentieth century. Equally, some subcultural theorists have been interested not only in the internal culture of subcultural groups but also their potential for affecting political change. Although the two fields of study remain distinct, a comparative analysis reveals common concerns to do with the ways subcultures and social movements are conceptualized, as well as around the efficacy of cultural politics or struggles waged at the level of lifestyle and identity.