"This cross-disciplinary book is fascinating not only because it is not infested with theory but also because alongside literature, it sweeps over traditional and modern media as well as motion pictures while paying particular attention to cartoons. Excellent artwork and high production quality make the book even more alluring. ... The diversity of contributors, ranging from academic scholars to professional comedians, adds to the entertaining quality of this book." (Massih Zekavat, Humor, Vol. 32 (3), 2019) "Satire and Politics takes up the challenge of making us appreciate the play space provided by satire, and of taking its impact seriously. Its combination of subjects and approaches makes it a well-rounded collection that I strongly recommend." (Jeanne Mathieu-Lessard, European Journal of Humour Research, Vol. 7 (2), 2019)
1. The Satirist, the Larrikin and the Politician: An Australian Perspective on Satire and Politics - Jessica Milner Davis and Lindsay Foyle.- 2. The Populist Elements of Australian Political Satire and the Debt to the Americans and the Augustans - Mark Rolfe.- 3. Under the Guise of Humour and Critique: The Political Co-option of Popular Contemporary Satire - Rebecca Higgie.- 4. The Politics of Deadpan in Australasian Satire - Nicholas Holm.-5. Towards a Discipline of Political Cartoon Studies: Mapping the Field - Khin Wee Chen, Robert Phiddian and Ronald Stewart.- 6. The Evolution of Political Cartooning in the New Media Age: Cases from Australia, the United States and Great Britain - Lucien Leon.- 7. The Effects of Satire: Exploring its Impact on Political Candidate Evaluation - Alison O’Connor.- 8. Yes Minister, Yes Prime Minister: The Theoretical Dimension - Conal Condren.- 9. Have They No Shame? Observations on the Effects of Satire - Robert Phiddian.
Jessica Milner Davis FRSN is a member of Clare Hall Cambridge, UK, and a research associate at the University of Sydney and Brunel University’s Centre for Comedy Studies Research. Twice president of the International Society for Humor Studies, she co-ordinates the Australasian Humour Studies Network.
‘Undoubtedly a significant volume on the study of the interplay between politics and satire. Highlighting satire's open meanings and manifestation in untold forms, the book is informed by an impressive level of historical analysis.’
- Alex Sutton, International Relations, University of Chichester, UK
‘Places political humor in compelling contexts. A must-read for students of global satire in the Digital Age.’
- Paul Lewis, Boston College, USA. Author of Cracking Up: American Humor in a Time of Conflict (2006)
This book examines the multi-media explosion of contemporary political satire. Rooted in 18th century Augustan practice, satire’s indelible link with politics underlies today’s universal disgust with the ways of elected politicians. This study interrogates the impact of British and American satirical media on political life, with a special focus on political cartoons and the levelling humour of Australasian satirists.