Ko se smeje zlo ne misli: politički humor kao metoda nenasilne akcije građanskih protesta u Srbiji
HE WHO LAUGHS MEANS NO HARM: POLITICAL HUMOR AS A METHOD OF NONVIOLENT ACTION IN CIVIC PROTESTS IN SERBIA

Summary/Abstract: One of the most recognizable features of the civic protests that have been continuously taking place in Serbia since November 2024 is the strategic use of political humor within a broad big-tent coalition of diverse civic movements and individuals. Under conditions of political repression and the near-total dominance of the authorities over traditional media, so-called ”laughtivism” stands out as one of the most powerful tools in the arsenal of pro-democracy movements, as it represents an ideally asymmetric tactic: a violent response to it is counterproductive, imitation is clumsy, production is decentralized, and the incubators of viral meme creation and satirical messaging are tailored to previously passive younger generations who have meanwhile become the primary actors of democratic protests. Building on theoretical assumptions established by Professor Gene Sharp, often referred to as the ”Machiavelli of nonviolent action,” the paper examines how political humor through satire, parody, and meme culture is strategically employed to challenge authoritarianism, articulate resistance, delegitimize the propaganda of ruling structures, overcome fear, and mobilize citizens, while also pointing to the limitations and potential risks of overreliance on humor as a method of nonviolent action.

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