While political comedy thrives, IR comedy, whatever that phrase might mean, is virtually non-existent. omedy gap’? Is it a figment of my imagination or a real problem?
Why isn’t IR funnier?
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comedy
Nuland: Comic misunderstanding?
Have Duck readers been following the latest glitch in U.S.-European relations? Josh mentioned it in his recent roundup. Here's how the Washington Post explained the story: On Thursday, a video was...
Africa for Norway
This video from Africa for Norway provides a humorous way to think about foreign aid: I suppose there is a good chance readers have already seen the video -- more than 1.5 million people have viewed...
Academic Rigor in the Classroom: Time to Get Serious?
Charli, Dan and Patrick at ISA 2013? The academics/educators who write this blog often locate their research and teaching interests in texts from popular culture. Dan has co-edited a book on Harry...
More comedy Posts
Hans Beinholtz: Europe For Sale
The entire bit is good, but the really good part begins about 3:30 into this video from last Thursday's "Colbert Report."The Colbert Report Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive"Invest in Europe, where culture, history and fun are always having a three-way."
Understanding Zombie Comedy
Earlier this week, Tufts professor Dan Drezner tweeted that his Theory of International Politics and Zombies book has now sold more than 10,000 copies. That's a huge total by academic standards and I sincerely congratulate Drezner on his success.Fellow Duck of Minerva bloggers have previously written a good deal about zombies and Drezner's book. For Foreign Policy, Dan Nexon wrote a brief comment about Drezner's original article suggesting that we should think (naturally) about IR in terms of hierarchy and empire: America's unmatched global-strike capabilities will lead most other remaining...
ISA: Renewing my call for comedy
I'm just back from the 2010 ISA conference in NOLA, but I don't have time for a full convention report right now. Among the highlights: First, I attended a panel on blogging featuring the Duck's Charli Carpenter on a stage with Dan Drezner, Rob Farley and Steve Walt, among others. Later, over drinks, I got to meet a few of the newest Duck bloggers.These events motivated me to blog more frequently. We'll see, eh?In any case, in addition to networking, a major purpose of ISA is for scholars to exchange ideas in a somewhat formal setting. Ideally, panel members present their latest research and...
Joking cousins
The most recent Utne Reader includes a short piece from Katie Krueger about the practice of "joking cousins" in Senegal:This means that whenever we meet, as a sign of friendliness, we insult each other without hesitation. Every ethnic group in Senegal has at least one or two joking cousin groups, so meeting one is rare enough to be a delight but common enough that it is protocol.Professor Brett O'Bannon of DePauw University (a former graduate student of mine) has written an academic paper arguing that such "joking relationships" are threatened by the forces of globalization. Yet, he notes,...
Operation Iraqi Stephen: Going Commando
The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30cFormidable Opponent - Don't Ask, Don't Tellwww.colbertnation.comColbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical HumorStephen Colbert in IraqThis week the Colbert Report is broadcasting from Camp Victory, Iraq as part of a USO tour. Sporting a suit made of cammo, a regulation haircut, and swinging a golf-club Bob Hope style, he has been entertaining the troops, reminding people that there is still a war in Iraq, and offering some rather brilliant and bold meta-satire of the entire operation.If you haven't been watching, you really need to. Right now.Last...
When Mavericks Go Rogue
This, SNL's cold-open with John McCain from this past Saturday, was quite funny. As I mentioned earlier, SNL has done a really good job pointing out the fundamental flaw in the McCain campaignIts not just that McCain is so tied to Bush, or that he's a true Maverick--a Republican without money--but that he's allowed himself to become such an object of satire, so open to ridicule. All of the punch-lines in that sketch are points that McCain has emphasized on his campaign. Indeed, at one point or another, things he's put as the centerpiece of his message, substituting for substance. And, in...
John Stewart provides a constructivist analysis of Bush Administration policies
"With this administration, if a passenger blows up a plane, it's a failure in the war on terror. But if the plane just blows up on its own — eh, it's the market self-regulating."Click here to stream the full bit.I watched this on my DVR and thought, gee, I ought to post it. But Kevin Drum beat me too it, hat tip to him.
Mearsheimer on Colbert
Professor John Mearsheimer of the University of Chicago is on "The Colbert Report" right now. Check out the video here. As you might expect, the scholar is promoting his latest book on the Israeli lobby. Perhaps you remember the earlier article.Why Colbert?Maybe Mearsheimer, in his critical theory mode, buys into the comedy of great power politics?