In chapter 3 of Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift, Swift uses the Lilliputians to infer satire of the British government. He uses them to not only criticize the government of Great Britain but to point out the difference that things that may appear ridiculous to us, may not appear that way to Gulliver.
             The most obvious example of Swift using satire to criticize the British government is the difference in size between Gulliver and the Lilliputians. Gulliver being clearly larger in size should have more power over the Lilliputians being that they are tiny but, he does not. Instead, Gulliver lets the Lilliputians treat him as inferior. He does not criticize their culture instead he goes along with it, being sympathetic to the Lilliputians. The sympathy he expresses infers that he knows the Lilliputians have ridiculous ways of life.
             One way in which Swift uses his satire to criticize the British government is by writing about how Lilliputian government officials are chosen by their rope-dancing skill. This idea seems ridiculous to Gulliver and Swift uses it to show how arbitrary the British government really is.
             Swift also bases many of his chapters in this book on physical power and the idea that humans believe in their own importance. The articles that Gulliver is forced to sign are little and meaningless pieces of paper that set him free. Gulliver, possessing great physical power could easy refuse to sign them and instead violate them using his physical power. He does not though and instead signs them. Swift is using this to again criticize the British government by saying that their customs are ridiculous.
             ...