Outlaw Bikers and Ancient Warbands Hyper-Masculinity and Cultural Continuity Conclusion

This conclusion summerises the chapters of the book. Through a comparative approach Outlaw Bikers and Ancient Warbands: Hyper-masculinity and Cultural Continuity demonstrates a cultural continuity that is part of human society, identified since prehistory. Warband values and outlaw biker tenets of hyper-masculinity has been defined and measured. Issues of hyper-masculinity and domestic violence have been assessed while also conceptualising the creation of the sacred masculine culture that underpins the values of the outlaw biker. Neoliberalism and socioeconomic inequality have been critiqued to explain why groups such as outlaw bikers exist. This book concludes that outlaw bikers are just one group within modern society that prioritise hyper-masculinity in the formation, socialisation and enforcement of hegemonic masculinity. Outlaw biker clubs are here to stay, and as the socioeconomic gap grows, there needs to be serious consideration as to what role they will play in their communities and in the post-COVID-19 environment.

Future Trends

Given the cultural continuity and persistence of hyper-masculine groups such as outlaw bikers, what is the future likely to hold within the context of contemporary warband societies? With an arguably widening gaps of inequality, increased social tension and an ongoing COVID-19 epidemic, how will young men and women respond? This chapter explores the future for outlaw biker clubs through the concept of the outlaw biker/ community contract, and socioeconomic inequality. It will explore the trends of internationalisation and posit the increased trajectory of the American-styled bikers and Australian clubs impacting the major groups in Europe and post-Soviet Eastern Europe, Aotearoa New Zealand, and Asia. This chapter will discuss territoriality and the violence that often follows such moves of internationalisation and assess the implications for conflict. Lastly, there will be some discussion on the outlaw biker/military nexus where clubs are actively recruiting combat veterans and current serving military personnel.