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Abstract: Oppositional political humor has a long history. With the growth of the Internet and social media, opposition groups can easily and affordably create and disseminate political humor, such as memes. This new capacity threatens authoritarian Azerbaijan and the regime severely punishes those who engage in online political humorous dissent, as the examples described in this article demonstrate. Interestingly, the regime has co-opted online political humorous content, especially memes, to achieve its own goals. Using Edward Schatz's "soft authoritarian tool kit" as a framework, we describe the humorous actions of the government.
Humor has long been a tool against oppression. From anti-Nazi comics1 to the strategic use of humor as part of the Serbian Otpor movement in 20002 to more recently in China,3 Zimbabwe,4 Syria,5 and Egypt,6 opposi- tion groups have made humor a part of their platforms. Cartoons, videos, and puppets are just a few examples of how opposition groups have used humor as a tool. While some, like Benton,7 argue that jokes are only revolu- tions metaphorically, as they are simply moral victories, there is evidence that humor can make a difference in mobilization and dissent. In the digital era, where content can easily and cheaply be created and distributed, humorous dissent may play an even more important role for the opposition.
This article will first give conceptual definitions and illustrate the use of humorous political user-generated content for dissent in Azerbaijan, followed by the government's response with both its punishment of those who engage in digital dissent as well as the government's own humorous political digital content that attacks the opposition. Further, Azerbaijan provides an important case study of humorous political digital content because it is an authoritarian state in which the Internet is almost the exclusive platform for dissent.
Conceptual Definitions
Humor
Humorous content is any message that is delivered with the intention to be funny. At an individual level, people use humor as an expression of superiority, to relieve tension, and to deal with incongruity. But humor also has a social function - for example, creating identity or creating a sense of control.8
Political Humor
Political humor is a "crucial part of society's political discourse."9 Moreover, political humor can attract citizens who are not interested in politics.10 Evidence shows...