Khandro - //The totalitarian former communist countries dealt harshly with criticism and humorous ridicule at first, but as it increased incrementally the position of authority became more and more untenable and it was a useful tool in aiding its downfall.
The recent ridiculing of Erdogan by a German comedian and his demand for recompense which has been denied by a high court has certainly shut him up. //
Neither of those examples prove, or even successfully indicate that ridicule played a major part in the change of either circumstance.
If ridicule really was the potent weapon for change that you seem to believe it to be, it would be far more evident in our culture as a force to be reckoned with, rather than what it is - something that makes us laugh, and no-one really changed anything by laughing.
//Private Eye and Spitting Image arguably changed perceptions and the posturing of some politicians. //
Again, a possibility, but merely an opinion, which is certainly open to challenge.
Most of the politicians enjoyed their SI caricatures, and many have bought the original puppets to keep - hardly the actions of people who were laid low by its incisive wit.
Private Eye's highest circulation figure - posted last year - was 228 thousand - not exactly anything to rock The Establishment is it?
Your argument has no merit - again.