Known just as much for being a comedian as for being a political author and lecturer, Mark Steel strives to make his audience think, whether he's speaking or telling jokes. The British activist is a socialist and incorporates his political viewpoint into all of his comedic work, generally placing his stand-up routines in the satire or alternative comedy genres. With a syndicated weekly column in The Independent and several BBC radio and television programs to his name, Mark Steel is a tremendous presence in the world of political comedy.