Globalization and Sport

Understanding Globalization and Sport

  • Globalization:
    • Definition: The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.
    • Examples: CocaCola, McDonald's, and the activities of TNCs (Transnational Corporations).

Neoliberalism

  • Definition: A set of policies and ideologies that prioritize free markets, economic liberalization, and the reduction of government role in economic affairs.
  • Key Points:
    • The market is viewed as the best solution for social issues.
    • Emphasis on individual responsibility, associating personal failure with lack of effort rather than systemic issues.
    • Corporations take on roles traditionally held by governments, yet governments are still reshaped to favor business interests.

Globalization in Sport

  • Influences on Sport:
    • Growth of capitalism and neoliberal practices.
    • Western imperialism via organizations like the IMF and World Bank corresponding with transnational influences.
    • Advances in global communications through media conglomerates and the internet.
  • Questions for Reflection:
    • Ownership of teams, origin of players, and production locations of merchandise.

Historical Context of Globalization

  • Historical Examples:
    • 15th-18th Century: Spread of Catholicism.
    • Colonialism and its lasting impacts, including resource extraction.
    • Cold War: Economic liberalization and the rise of corporate powers post-1989.

Sport and Americanization

  • Americanization:
    • Spread of American brands and values globally, portrayed through cultural exports like McDonald’s and ESPN.
    • Increasing visibility of American sports across different countries (e.g., American football's popularity in the UK).
  • Cultural Imperialism:
    • The overarching influence of American culture internationally, leading to homogenized global cultural practices.

Resistance Movements to Globalization

  • Emerging Social Movements:
    • Not strictly linked to economic interests but focused on societal value change (Feminism, anti-racism).
    • The notion of ‘anti-globalization’ is misleading; it's more a challenge to certain facets of neoliberal capitalism.

Case Studies in Resistance

  • Nike Transnational Advocacy Network:
    • Collective movements aiming to address labor practices in production settings.
    • Main issues include low wages, forced overtime, and lack of labor rights.
  • Tactics for Advocacy:
    • Public communication and protests (e.g., Nike International Mobilization Days).
    • Use of media and public campaigns to raise awareness about issues.

The Impact of Neoliberalism on Sport

  • Role of Corporations:
    • Corporations are often perceived as solutions to social needs but primarily serve profit motives.
    • Changing responsibilities of government to favorable corporate interests, affecting how sports are funded and organized.

Creolization vs Cultural Imperialism

  • Creolization:
    • The process where global influences are adapted locally (e.g., Trobriand cricket as a reinterpretation of colonial cricket).
    • How cultural interactions shape unique local forms of expression.

The Globalization of Resistance

  • Essential to understand the interconnectedness of activism against corporate globalization.
  • Active networks form without hierarchical structures, indicating a more decentralized model of resistance against neoliberal capitalism.

Conclusion

  • The discourse around globalization and sport illustrates the balance between corporate interests and grassroots activism, reflecting broader societal values and the power dynamics at play in global politics and economics.