Sport and Militarism

Sport and Militarism Overview

Examines the connection between sport and militarism as socially constructed, not inevitable.
Discusses historical context and current implications.
Key examples: Canadian Forces Run, Invictus Games.

Key Concepts

Militarism: Military values (patriotism, honor, violence) pervade civil society.
Sports Terminology: Militaristic language (e.g., "training camp", "sudden death") intersects with sports culture.
Militarization: Gradual reliance on military ideologies within culture and institutions.

Desjardins’ Insights

Defines militarism as viewing global issues primarily as military problems.
Sports play a role in normalizing military culture and promoting militarism.

Research Categories (Kelly, 2016)

Respect towards military in sports.
Injured veterans becoming athletes (e.g., Invictus Games).
Militarization of sports uniforms.
Corporate sponsorship supporting military narratives.

Military Industrial Entertainment Complex

Rise in collaboration between corporations and military influences.
Military funding for sports events (e.g., NFL).
Example: Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night.

Modern Militarization in Sports

Discussion of how contemporary sports demonstrate militarization.
Examples include community engagement in military-themed events.

Case Study: Pat Tillman

Former NFL player turned soldier; controversial posthumous symbol for the war.

Depoliticization of Sports

Sports often presented as neutral, concealing underlying political agendas.
Desjardins critiques the CAR as a method to promote a sanitized military image.

Invictus Games

International sports competition for injured armed services personnel.
Emphasizes recovery, respect, and support for veterans.

Take-Home Messages

The CAR acts as a socialization agent to support militarism without direct recruitment.
Connection between sport and militarism reduces war complexities to mere spectacle.
Encourages reflection on how consent for military actions is manufactured through sports.