How does Swift use irony in the depiction of Lilliputian and Brobdingnagian leaders?

In "Gulliver's Travels," Jonathan Swift employs irony in the portrayal of both the Lilliputian and Brobdingnagian leaders to showcase their incompetence and absurdity. The leaders of Lilliput are depicted as petty and trivial, engaging in foolish political disputes that reflect their small-mindedness, both literally and metaphorically. For example, their rivalry over the correct method of breaking eggs represents the absurdity of their priorities in governance, as they focus on insignificant details rather than issues of real importance.

Similarly, the Brobdingnagian leaders, despite their impressive physical size, embody a greater level of moral and ethical blindness. Gulliver, who presents himself as a knowledgeable observer, finds their practices and values steeped in hypocrisy and ignorance. This contrast highlights the irony that size does not equate to wisdom or good governance. By using irony, Swift effectively critiques the ridiculousness of political affairs in both societies, drawing parallels to the failings of leaders in his own society, thus revealing the universal nature of political folly.