Christie Davies

Christie Davies is a British sociologist, professor emeritus of sociology at the University of Reading, England, the author of many articles and books on criminology, the sociology of morality, censorship, and humour. He has also been visiting professor in India, Poland, United States, and Australia.

In his 2002 book, The Mirth of Nations, he criticises the theories which derive humor from conflict and superiority, and argues instead that they are a form of play – a play with aggression, superiority, and taboo-breaking. He also argues against the Freudian theory about Jewish jokes being mostly self-deprecating, claiming that instead they are based on the cultural tradition of analytical thinking and self-awareness. American folklorist Alan Dundes called the book "the provocative critique of previous scholarship on the subject".

Davies is past president of the International Society for Humor Studies.

In 1983, Davies warned that when Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997 there would be no future for its 5.5 million inhabitants. He suggested a new "city state" could be created near Magilligan Point in between Coleraine and Derry for resettling Hong Kong inhabitants.

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