Summary: Political literacy constitutes a fundamental prerequisite for a healthy democracy, as it enables citizens to understand how power operates, to critically assess public policies, and to exercise oversight over government practices. Yet formal political education often fails to reach broader segments of society due to its technocratic language, elitist formats, and limited connection to everyday experience. This article argues that stand-up comedy, particularly Mens Rea by Pandji Pragiwaksono, can function as a powerful alternative medium for cultivating political literacy. Through humor and satire, complex political issues are translated into accessible narratives that reduce audience resistance and stimulate critical reflection on policy motives, interest relations, and mechanisms of democratic accountability. Comedy also normalizes political discussion in public spaces, expands civic participation beyond electoral moments, and encourages the habit of questioning as the core of critical citizenship. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of political comedy depends on a careful balance between freedom of expression and ethical responsibility, so that criticism does not devolve into personal attacks or dehumanization. In this sense, Mens Rea should be understood not merely as entertainment, but as a form of informal civic education that contributes to public awareness and democratic oversight in Indonesia.
When Comedy Replaces Boring Civic Education
A recurring question arises whenever political satire becomes a public conversation: is it entertainment or education? The question appears simple, yet it carries a flawed assumption, that entertainment cannot educate, and education cannot entertain. In the history of modern democracy, however, humor has often served as one of the most effective pathways for introducing critique, activating public reasoning, and encouraging citizens to think more sharply.
In Indonesia, the urgency of political literacy is widely recognized, but its delivery frequently fails to reach the broader public. Formal political education often remains confined to textbooks rather than shaping citizens’ ways of thinking. Political socialization is reduced to slogans, while policy discussions rely heavily on technocratic terminology that is inaccessible to most people. As a result, many citizens appear politically “active”, engaging in social-media debates, commenting on news articles, or arguing in messaging groups, yet are not necessarily…
