Its two completely different realms and meanings of punk. The American side was born out of teen angst mainly, gettin laid and drinkin beer. The British scene was born out of social downfall and destruction of class and social value and the rise of unemployment and anger amonst the british working and middle classes. Both sides of the pond hated each others standpoints on punk and what it meant. Then the Ramones came across and blew it all out the water. everyone wanted to see or be the Ramones. They built the bridge by which we all live and breath music these days. The American scene would have never existed had it not been for the British beatscene, the British scene would have never existed without the blues. Famous quote of the time is "Them white boys wanna play the blues so bad.... And they do! Come on! who's more influential? I would say we wuld have nothing if Robert Johnson had'nt been born, hehe.
