Cortlyn Buck
Generational Insight Interview of Laughtivism in Politics

Politics can be a sensitive subject for some, especially when you incorporate humor into the equation.  Laughtivism certainly isn't the first thing that comes to mind when politics is a topic of discussion, but from what I've found from my interviews, it seems that politicians' sense of  humor can aid them in many ways.

I targeted middle aged, college educated, middle-class individuals for the purpose of gaining insight about what they thought of laughtivism in politics with the result of mostly positive responses. When it comes to winning votes or gaining acceptance, I found that comedic statements utilized by politicians can ease tension and make them more relatable. On the other hand, an attempt of laughtivism in the wrong place at the wrong time can make for a fairly awkward situation, and have negative outcomes overall.

Political debates are typically tense and can get heated easily. We have all seen how certain individuals use humor to deflect a question they don't want to answer, poke fun at their opponent, or even flat out disrespect another party. From my interviews, the main response I received was about using laughtivism in moderation, and in appropriate situations. The overall effectiveness of this topic depends on a number of factors including cultural boundaries, audience, and scope of the situation.

Political scenarios are serious and important in mostly all instances.  Laughtivism allows for a slight break in the usually somber and humorless areas of politics. Comedians like Jimmy Fallon find light and comedic relief in otherwise dark and strict circumstances and even invite politicians to participate in the antics on their talk shows.

Throughout our nation's history, laughtivism in politics has always been incorporated at some level. According to my research, the key to whether or not it can benefit the user depends on the context, and how effective they are in utilizing humor when it is needed most.