Chapter 8. Mocking Fascism

Political satire can be considered a significant part of popular culture, but has been systematically neglected by theorists of popular culture. This study discusses how popular culture and political satire reflect their counter-hegemonic project against the Fascist hegemony of Mussolini. All the necessary elements are put into practice in order to eliminate the Fascist power, overthrow the regime, and, most importantly, resist the Fascist standardisation of late modernity. The paper will start with an account of the role of popular culture and its relation to hegemony. Examples and illustrations will facilitate our understanding of political satire as a significant contributor to resistance, change, and the formation of political consciousness.