Sport and Society - International Sports and Politics

International Sports and Politics

General Overview

  • Course Title: Sport and Society: International Sports and Politics

  • Semester: Winter 2016

  • Instructor: Professor Rosenberg

Chapter Summaries

International Sport

  • Overview of significant events and themes influencing the global sports landscape.

  • Key topics include the Olympic Games and the political implications intertwined with sports.

The Olympic Games

  • Significant global sporting event with notable political impacts.

  • Examples of political boycotting and unity through sports.

Politics in Sport

  • Role of politics: Examine how politics influences various sporting events and athletes.

  • International Sports and Politics: Focus on the sociology aspect of sports.

Globalization of Sport

Significance of Globalization

  • Media Explosion: Expansion of sports viewership and marketing.

  • Migration: Movement of athletes and coaches on a global scale to enhance sporting variety and competition.

  • Exchange of Values: Cultural exchanges facilitated through sports can promote global understanding.

Historical Context

Britain's Influence

  • 19th and Early 20th Century: Britain's global dominance in sports through activity and culture.

  • Sports Introduced:

    • Soccer

    • Cricket

    • Boxing

    • Fox hunting

    • Horse racing

U.S. Sports Dominance

  • Post World War II Era to Present: Rise in popularity and global influence of American sports such as:

    • Football

    • Baseball

    • Basketball

    • Volleyball

    • Lacrosse

  • Cooperation with Other Countries: Facilitating growth in sports like Hockey and Skiing through international collaboration.

Global Consumption of Sport

Popularity Breakdown

  • Soccer: 3.5 Billion viewers/players

  • Cricket: 3 Billion

  • Field Hockey: 2 Billion

  • Tennis: 1 Billion

  • Volleyball and Table Tennis: 900 Million each

  • Basketball: 240 Million

  • Baseball: 230 Million

  • Rugby and Golf: 200 Million each

Nationalism vs. Economics

  • Examining the balance of nationalism and sports economics: Is economics replacing nationalism's influence?

Athletes and Coaches as Migrant Workers

  • IMG Sports Training Centers: A showcase of international athlete movements.

  • Notable players: Includes Brandon Jennings and various players from different nations participating in U.S. sports.

Using Sport for Better World Understanding

  • Example: Iraqi Soccer Team promoting cultural acceptance and understanding through sports.

Politics in Society through Sport

Government Roles

  • Responsibilities:

    • Safeguarding the public.

    • Protecting citizens' rights and interests.

    • Promoting identity and unity among citizens.

Public Safeguarding

  • Historical legislation such as the creation of the US Olympic Committee in response to misconduct.

  • Gear laws and security measures at sporting events as examples of protection.

Rights Protection

  • Overview of Title IX and initiatives to protect vulnerable populations in sports environments.

Financial Interests

  • Evaluating stadium deals and politicians' influence over financial outcomes in local communities.

  • The case of the Raiders and other teams as a cautionary tale on financial manipulation.

Identity and Unity Promotion

  • The impact of sports franchises on community identity, using historical examples from various cities.

Nationalism in Sports

Definitions

  • Nationalism: Devotion to one's country expressed through national symbols and events.

  • Jingoism: Extreme form of nationalism that can influence foreign policy.

Historical Impact of Jingoism

  • Interplay between sports and Cold War politics: Rocky IV as a narrative of national sentiment.

Social Values and Sports

Promoting Values through Sporting Events

  • Countries utilizing sports to foster unity among diverse groups, such as Ireland's initiatives.

  • Government initiatives in the U.S. to address urban unrest through community sports programs.

Sports as Distraction

  • Chomsky's Insight: Government usage of sports to divert attention from pressing social issues.

Status Quo in Sports

  • Conservative values often prevail in sporting environments, influencing community perspectives.

Utilizing Sports for Change

Impactful Athlete Actions

  • Influential athletic moments that reshaped societal views, e.g., Ali and Vietnam, Black Power Salute.

  • Politicians aligning with sports to reinforce their public personas and socio-political agendas.