Put in Humour: Creating Indifference Through the Generation of Grotesque Memes

This article proposes a power-focused perspective for International Relations to specifically undertake an examination of grotesque and ridiculous representations of leader figures. This is illustrated by examples of Vladimir Putin in public media and online. By bringing together the theoretical insights of Achille Mbembe and Michel Foucault on the grotesque, the paper elaborates how displaying Putin in public in grotesque ways contributes to political power through creating indifference towards excessive behaviour and the truthfulness of representations among the audience. The theoretical concept of the grotesque enables an innovative and context-sensitive understanding of power mechanisms underlying the public representations of Putin’s governance. The article highlights how ridiculous performances can be a source of political power. Mbembe observed how elements of the grotesque are fundamental to any dominance structure. Grotesque leaders operate outside of the establishment and thereby can subvert the existing power hierarchy. Consequently, Putin seems to be immune to ridicule and even benefits from being ridiculed in public. By being represented and perceived as laughable, the grotesque protects dictators through a pre-emptive critique from fierce and sustainable opposition as the satisfaction of joking about the most powerful is highly fascinating and thereby disincentivises resistance. Simultaneously, audiences encounter indifferences in distinguishing between reality and the imaginative creations of meme creators. By analysing prominent examples of grotesque media representations, such as depictions of Putin seated on an oversized table or riding shirtless on horses, the study explores the connection between grotesque representations, humour, and indifference towards rude behaviour.