Cartoon boys make a mockery of political extremes

Do not choose a research topic that sounds important but in which you are not really interested in: you will not have the stamina to work with such a topic for months on end advises Toni Latvamäki. He researched the political orientation in South Park

Nothing is sacred in the American animated series South Park. The series makes fun of blacks, whites, different religions, sexual minorities, conservatives and democrats – everyone quite equally, as is shown by Toni Latvamäki’s pro gradu thesis in Political Science.

Latvamäki's research found that the series does not take a political party line and its world is not biased towards either the liberal or the conservative side.

– The series makes fun of all extreme phenomena in society, Latvamäki says.

The political debate in the US is characterised by a division between liberalism and conservatism. Although the series is neutral between these two ideologies, Latvamäki’s research showed that the series criticised the democrats more on a personal level and the conservatives more on the level of issues.

– Hillary Clinton and Al Gore are the two democratic politicians that are criticised the most. A good example of conservative viewpoints would the resistance to gay marriage.

You must be able to laugh at everything

In the US, the series has caused dismay as it deals with the war in Iraq and other sensitive issues. There have been attempts to limit or even prohibit the broadcasts.

According to Toni Latvamäki, South Park is rude, absurd and above all, in extremely bad taste, but at times it is sheer genius. The social criticism that the series undertakes has become more evident over the years. The series has deeper and more meaningful content than you would think at first glance.

– Other similar series, such as The Simpsons or Family Guy have their own ways of commenting on the social debate. However, in no other series except South Park is the commenting so consistent and intentional, Latvamäki says.

The makers of the series have said in an interview that you should be able to talk about everything and to laugh at everything.

Political satire has strong traditions in the US and Great Britain. In Finland, we are a little bit behind.

– There have been attempts to do something similar. Iltalypsy (the Evening Milking 1993–2001) and Itse Valtiaat (The Autocrats 2001–2008) did not treat the political elites with kid gloves. Pasila also contains social criticism.

Research a topic you are interested in

Latvamäki combined Political Science and Media Studies in his research. According to him, entertainment is worth researching. South Park turned out to be impartial in its critique, but there can be other series that support an ideology.

You should find a subject for your pro gradu thesis that really interests you because then you will have the energy to work on the topic.

– People usually choose topics that seem smart but do not necessarily interest the person who is doing the research.

Latvamäki enjoys clever humour that takes the spectator by surprise.

– The best comedies have already been made, Latvamäki sighs.

Text: Tiina Lankinen
Illustration: Teemu Launis
Translation: Laura Tohka

This story was originally published in Finnish in Aikalainen 11/2012