Sport, Power, and Ideology

What is the definition of coercion in the context of power dynamics?

Coercion is when A gets B to do something B would not otherwise do, often observable through conflict, force, or threat.

What is consent in the context of power dynamics?

Consent is when A shapes the conditions of B's decisions, involving agenda setting and often stifling conflict before it arises.

Define hegemony.

Hegemony refers to something that is unquestioned, taken for granted, viewed as natural or normal, shaping social norms and values without question.

What is ideology according to Louis Althusser?

Ideology is the means by which we are conditioned to understand the world, influencing our behaviors and beliefs.

Differentiate between hard power and soft power.

Hard power involves coercive politics using physical force or violence, while soft power relies on consensus politics without overt force.

What is an Ideological State Apparatus (ISA)?

ISAs are institutions like politics, education, mass media, religion, and sport that express and normalize the ideology of the dominant political order.

What is the role of mass media in relation to sport?

Mass media serves as an ISA that reinforces dominant views and values, contributing to the manufacturing of consent for the political order.

Explain the term 'cultural osmosis' in the context of ideology.

Cultural osmosis is the often unrecognized learning of dominant political structures and values through simply existing within a society.

Describe how sport can express and reproduce U.S. political ideologies.

Sport can normalize principles like democracy, individualism, and neoliberal capitalism, acting as a site for political expression.

What is neoliberalism according to the notes?

Neoliberalism is a political philosophy advocating minimal government interference, promoting free-market systems and prioritizing corporate interests.

What is the premise of meritocracy according to neoliberal ideology?

Meritocracy assumes that individuals' positions in society result directly from their merit, disregarding social inequalities and context.

How does sport serve as a medium for neoliberal values?

Sport implicitly reinforces neoliberal values by presenting them as 'common-sense' through its competitive and individualistic nature.

What does the term 'rugged individualism' imply within the context of neoliberalism?

Rugged individualism implies that each individual is responsible for their own success and that social context is largely irrelevant.

Explain the myth of meritocracy as discussed in the notes.

The myth of meritocracy suggests that society rewards individuals solely based on their skills and efforts, ignoring systemic inequalities.

How can sport act as a site for counter-hegemonic resistance?

Sport can highlight and expose serious societal issues through its cultural significance, allowing for anti-neoliberal opposition.

What is the significance of Neoliberalism in American ideology?

Neoliberalism underscores the importance of individual moral responsibility, fostering a belief in personal culpability for success or failure.