Strategic Use of Humour in Politics

Strategic Use of Humour in Politics examines how humour is not merely entertaining but a multifaceted rhetorical phenomenon. The volume presents a comprehensive analysis of the strategic uses of humour in professional politics, bringing together sources from a wide range of countries and historical periods. Rather than focusing on humour directed at politicians, it explores how politicians themselves employ humour to persuade, influence public perception, and navigate the risks inherent in political discourse. Drawing on examples across multiple disciplines, languages, and cultures, the book explores in detail how humour strategies can be used for argumentation, emotional appeal, and image construction. Identifying previously academically overlooked functions of humour and providing a structured framework for assessing its effectiveness in political communication, it outlines key considerations for those evaluating the role of humour in public messaging, offering insights into both its advantages and limitations. By integrating insights from rhetoric, political science, and humour studies, this work provides both a theoretical framework and practical guidance for understanding political humour. As such, it will be of interest to scholars and students of political communication and rhetoric, as well as speechwriters and campaign strategists navigating the complexities of humour in public discourse.