The Anti-Authoritarian Toolkit, by D-HUB
Volume 04 | Narrative

Fight back using humor

Challenge apathy and overcome fear through laughter

The Play

During periods of repression, misinformation, censorship, or peak tensions, humor can be a powerful form of resistance. It challenges the regime's narratives and helps people cope emotionally.

Laughing at abusive authority unmasks its weakness. Through memes, irony, and jokes, almost anything can be addressed. Humor can also shape demonstrations and performances, turning protests into memorable, attention-grabbing events.

Blending online humor with offline action amplifies impact, creating a narrative that resonates both on the streets and across digital platforms. This engages wider audiences, making complex issues more accessible. Comedy reaches where reason cannot—and sticks because people are always ready to decompress and have a laugh.

Just keep in mind one rule: "ridicule them, but always show they're dangerous." And remember: be sharp, not cruel. Aggressive attacks can backfire. Make it playful, never insulting :)

Why it works

  • Humor disarms fear. Laughter makes repression less intimidating, making hard or frightening situations easier to face.
  • Mockery weakens authority. Ridiculing authoritarian figures chips away at their aura of power and invincibility.
  • Satire spreads fast. Jokes and memes travel quickly across platforms, boosting reach and engagement.
  • Joy builds resilience. Humor sustains morale and lowers the emotional barrier to action, helping people stay committed in long struggles.

How it works

1. Leverage Weaknesses of Authoritarian Figures

Conduct (or solicit) an analysis of public opinion studies to identify authoritarian weaknesses. These weaknesses are usually related to hypocrisy, incompetence, corruption, or specific actions carried out by the regime that have translated into controversy or criticism in public opinion.

2. Strike While the Irony Is Hot

Humor is most powerful when it's timely and relevant. While adaptability matters in all communication strategies, it's especially crucial for satire and political jokes. Keep your anti-authoritarian humor agile and responsive, aligning it with current events to maximize impact. Leverage breaking news, controversies, or trending topics to expose the authoritarian weaknesses you've already identified. Well-timed humor not only boosts the chances of virality but also reinforces your connection and relevance to the public pulse.

3. Curate and Amplify Existing Humorous Content

You don't always need to create content from scratch. Online communities often produce sharp, humorous takes on authoritarian leaders that naturally go viral. Curate the best content that aligns with your strategy and editorial line, remixing or adapting it to fit your campaign's tone and platforms. Memes, parodies, and cartoons already available can be used to support your cause, reinforcing your message while keeping it fresh and engaging.

4. Encourage Participation and Interaction

To expand your reach, build rapport with influencers or trusted voices who can amplify your content among their followers. Involve them in both the creation and dissemination of humorous content. Organize meme contests, creative challenges, or hashtag campaigns to encourage participation and boost your message's virality. To keep efforts focused and effective, provide clear guidance and background information about the authoritarian weaknesses you want to highlight, ensuring that humor remains relevant and on point.

5. Include Humor in Street Demonstrations

Funny banners, posters, performances, and artistic interventions that laugh at authoritarians during protests often make for great visuals, attracting media attention and going viral online. Also, consider organizing humorous events, street comedy shows, or flash mobs to amplify your message. These creative actions not only energize participants and the general public but also turn demonstrations into powerful storytelling moments that resonate both on the ground and across digital platforms.

6. Evaluate and Adjust Continuously

Monitor the reception and impact of your humorous content online and offline. Observe audience reactions, analyze participation metrics, and assess the reach and effectiveness of your message.

Tips

A. Be Careful with the "Clever but Uneffective" Syndrome

Using humor requires agility and the ability to stay on top of the current agenda. However, this comes with an additional challenge: you don't just want people to laugh, you want the kind of laughter that sparks awareness and prompts critical reflection. So, a joke that doesn't directly target the regime's weaknesses may be clever, but it won't reduce the authoritarian's power. Effective humor should make authoritarian figures feel exposed or embarrassed, creating doubts among their moderate supporters and reinvigorating their detractors. That's when laughter becomes a true act of resistance.

B. Make the Joke the Message

Effective political humor works when the joke itself delivers the message, not when it resorts to shallow ridicule. Jokes about an opponent's appearance or quirks might get a laugh, but they fail to expose deeper truths or undermine authoritarian power. The most powerful humor taps into unconscious wishes and perceptions—what people truly feel but might not openly express. Only then does a well-crafted joke become an emotional shortcut to common sense, making complex issues instantly relatable. If the punchline reflects how people already perceive the situation, the message lands without further explanation. So focus your humor on authentic frustrations and desires, not personal attacks.

C. Use the "Seinfeld Structure"

Use comedy to unmask manipulation and falsehood, allowing truth to shine more brightly. While using humor, employ the "Seinfeld Structure": find absurdity in situations that are considered normal. This mechanism aims to dismantle and question behaviors that are so commonplace that we often overlook them. This structure, used by the renowned comedian, typically begins with a question like, "Isn't it weird when...?" Labeling authoritarian attitudes as "weird" and contrary to what is "normal" can have a significant impact, even in the most repressive regimes.

Who's done it well?

Slovenia: People's Protest Assembly

Defiance through Humor and Perseverance

From 2020 to 2022, a monumental challenge arose in Slovenia as citizens faced a government that sought to undermine democracy and human rights. Over the course of 105 consecutive weeks, a series of protests took place every Friday, emerging as a powerful movement of resistance. Born out of spontaneity, creativity, and determination, the protests became a symbol of defiance against the government's measures.

The movement began modestly, with banners hung from balconies during the pandemic lockdowns. As restrictions allowed outdoor exercise, protesters took to the streets, using bicycles as a symbol of their cause. Humorous signs and playful chants quickly became part of the demonstrations, making the protests not only politically charged but also vibrant and approachable. By the third cycling protest, 10,000 people—on bicycles, scooters, and on foot—were parading through the streets in peaceful, colorful, and often humorous defiance.

Humor was not just an accessory but a central component of the strategy, making these protests more attractive to both the press and social media while keeping morale high among participants. Protesters often carried witty banners and signs mocking government hypocrisy, which helped the movement gain traction across digital platforms. Satirical slogans and ironic chants turned otherwise tense moments into expressions of collective empowerment. Whether tens of thousands strong or just a small group, the protests continued undeterred by sanctions and threats.

Protesters used satire and symbolism to powerful effect: they chained statues and handed them the Constitution, floated a boat on Lake Bled with representations of Janša, Orbán, and Vučić as anti-democratic puppets, staged a mock award at a gas station, built snow-penis sculptures, and climbed Mount Triglav to confront a fake Janša and demand the return of the national symbols he had tried to claim.

Consistency was vital to the movement's success. For 105 weeks, the voices of resistance echoed across the country, sparking conversations everywhere, in homes, offices, and schools. But it was the combination of persistence and humor that prevented apathy from taking root, proving that even a small group of dedicated citizens could make a significant impact. The protests constantly evolved, adapting to changing circumstances while maintaining their energy, creativity, and playfulness. Additionally, the movement developed an affirmative agenda, offering political and social alternatives to the government's actions.

The experience of the 105 Fridays showed that humor, creativity, and persistence can overcome great challenges. Each police intervention only strengthened the resolve of the protesters. The demonstrations became a celebration of courage and dignity, as humor was the tool used by thousands of individuals who refused to be intimidated.

These 105 protests were not just acts of resistance; they were a celebration of the collective ability to create, adapt, and endure. Through consistency and creativity, the movement demonstrated how even the greatest obstacles can be overcome in the fight for democracy.

"As the movement gained strength, creativity flourished. Humor and art were essential to maintain attention and relevance. Giant puppets representing government figures, protests on water with canoes and kayaks, giant banners unfurled over rivers or monuments highlighting governmental incompetence. Each Friday came with a new surprise to showcase the movement's innovative spirit and determination."

Learn more

D-Hub Resources

Other Resources

Download the Volume Today
Volume 04

Download the Volume Today

Take your copy with you and learn how to fight back against authoritarians

Tell the story of the people

Building connection through authentic narratives

Do not tell. Show.

Let symbols speak louder than words.