Les sens de l'humour Enquete sur les rapports ordinaires au politique

In: Politix: revue des sciences sociales du politique, Heft 4, S. 139-160

Abstract

Ethnographic observation is a preferred method of enquiry to capture informal political discussions, and thus to understand better the process of politicization. The results from the field work presented here shows that humor is one of the ways informal discussions are politicized, in particular in public group contexts, because humor lessens the possibility of dissension inherent in political discussions. Introducing political content in the form of humor makes it possible for the speaker to test implicit political ideas, without taking the risk of creating conflict. The failure of a humor event is a trial for the participants in the group discussion, but is it less profound and risky than a disagreement voiced during a serious confrontation. Studying humor events contributes to the renewing and better understanding of how politicization operates. Adapted from the source document.