The use of political cartoons during popular protests: The case of the 2011 Tunisian uprising

Abstract

This study investigates the use of political cartoons in the Tunisian context during its transitory phase in the aftermath of the 2011 uprising. It explores how political cartoons were used to critically reflect the socioeconomic and geopolitical conditions in Tunisia at that time. Additionally, it analyzes the predominant themes of Tunisian political cartoons during the transitory phase. To address these two research questions, this study uses a qualitative approach to analyze selected samples of political cartoons focusing on textual and graphic elements. The methodology adopted in this paper also employs textual analysis drawing upon semiotic theory addressing the framing of pictures, systems of signs, and visual aspects and modes of presentation.