Satire as Activism in Contemporary Turkey: Trajectories, Achievements, Current Challenges

Abstract

The Gezi Park protests that sparked in Turkey in summer 2013 were characterized by a strong presence of satire. Not only did satirical magazines extensively cover the mobilization, the satirical element was also on the foreground in the physical and virtual spaces of the protests, produced and circulated by protestors themselves. Such practice contributed significantly to the expression ‘extraordinary intelligence’ (orantısız zeka) through which protestors came to be defined. Drawing on the concept of laughtivism, that refers to the large-scale use of the satirical element in the tactics of recent non-violent protests, the present work discusses satire’s contribution to political dissent in the Gezi Park protests and assesses its legacy in their aftermath. This study argues that during the protests, satire asserted itself not only as a form of communication and cultural expression but actually as a form of activism, able to foster cultural change and produce transformation in society. It also argues that satire has the potential to perform such a role at less exceptional political times, too, but certain conditions are necessary to make a difference in these contexts. Overall, this work sheds light on the dynamics that make satire a successful form of activism, as well as on its limits.