Militarism and Sport 2
Introduction
The speaker continues the discussion from the previous class, focusing on the connection between sport and militarism.
Raises a crucial question: Is there a natural connection between sport and militarism?
Definitions
Militarism: A system that promotes a strong military capability and a readiness to use it to defend or promote national interests.
Militarization: The process through which civilian sectors come to accept military definitions, tactics, and values as normal or acceptable.
The Relationship Between Sport and Militarism
The speaker emphasizes that the connection between sport and militarism is not inevitable; it is a constructed relationship that required intentional work.
Encourages critical thinking about how professional and amateur sports engage with militaristic narratives.
Desjardins's Reading
The assigned reading by Desjardins focuses on amateur sport rather than professional sport.
Desjardins's research features the Canadian Army Run (CAR):
An annual event in Ottawa with approximately 10,000 participants.
Aims more at participation than times or competitive outcomes.
Pat Tillman
Pat Tillman: A former NFL player who joined the U.S. Army after 9/11 as a form of patriotic service, later killed in Afghanistan in 2004 under controversial circumstances (friendly fire).
His story illustrates the valorization of soldier narratives in the U.S., often overlooked in discussions surrounding militaristic sacrifices.
The controversy surrounding his death raises key questions about the narratives used to glorify military service.
Film Discussion
The speaker refers to a documentary on Pat Tillman, highlighting the narrative of heroism surrounding military fatalities versus the actual conditions of his death.
Mutual Benefits of Military and Sports Relationships
Importance of understanding the mutual benefits that the military and sports leagues derive from their association.
The military's involvement in sports is recent and politically motivated, responding to events like 9/11.
Amateur Sport and Militarization
Desjardins argues that amateur sports serve as a platform for military socialization.
Participation at the CAR promotes an idealized view of military service while minimizing political discussions about war and its implications.
Depoliticization:
Desjardins defines depoliticization as the removal of political influence or debate surrounding military action during events like the CAR.
Participants celebrate military involvement without engaging in critical discussions about its complexities.
Ethnographic Research Insights
Desjardins uses ethnography to immerse herself in the Canadian Army Run to explore militarism in an everyday context.
The run emphasizes participation over competitive performance, showcasing military personnel and technology while downplaying serious military issues.
Participants are socialized into military culture while political discussions about war and sacrifice are sidelined.
Implications of the CAR
The CAR functions as a pro-military propaganda tool, emphasizing national pride without discussing the realities of military actions.
Attendees engage in military activities (e.g., trying on gear) but do not engage critically with the implications of military action.
The portrayal of military service is sanitized, creating an idealized image that overlooks contemporary issues such as sexual misconduct within the military.
Discussion on Critique
Critiques of the military often equate to critiques of nationalism.
Events like the CAR do not outright recruit individuals but promote a culture of militarism that disengages critical political discussions.
Conclusions Drawn from Desjardins's Work
The underlying connections between sport and militarism act as agents of socialization for military support and national pride.
The organization of events like the CAR reflects a strategy to depoliticize military service, rendering discussions of war neutral.
The idealization of military service typically serves to mask historical injustices and ongoing political issues.
The Role of Consent and Depoliticization
The audience's consent to militaristic narratives is essential; spectators often unknowingly support military agendas by not questioning the relationship between sports and militarism.
The marriage of sport with militarism results in a sanitized view of warfare, minimizing complexities and harsh realities associated with military actions.
Final Thoughts
The speaker urges critically examining how military narratives are constructed through sports, reflecting on personal participation in celebratory events while recognizing the deeper implications.
Calls for ongoing reflection and questioning around war’s portrayal and its normalization in everyday contexts.
Lecture 1
Fifa is partnering with the Board of Peace to use football (soccer) as a way to promote recovery and peace. This raises the idea that sport can be political, discussions on important topics such as war.
Key Questions and Ideas
Is there a natural connection between sport and militarism?
This connection might not be natural but socially constructed. For example, the appearance of fighter jets during the Super Bowl introduction.
Has this connection always been this way? We should examine how it became natural through social construction.
Different militaries operate in different ways.
Sport, militarism, and militaries are often depoliticized, meaning we don’t relate them to powerful politics.
Military items like tanks and jets are often viewed as symbols rather than tools of war.
Connections Between War and Militarism
Historical figures, like Ronald Reagan and George Orwell, have commented on the relationship between sport and war, suggesting that sport is a less violent version of war.
Some violence is permitted in both realms, and the use of force is accepted.
Sport and Militarism
The idea that sport and militarism are interconnected has become woven into political life.
Military terms often appear in sports, such as 'draft' and 'sudden death'.
Young people used to be drafted for war, similar to how they are chosen for sports teams.
The language of militarism is now part of everyday life.
Militarization
Militarization is the process by which something becomes controlled by the military or reliant on military ideas.
The geography of certain areas, like Downsview Park with its military base, reflects this militarization.
This process unfolds gradually over time and space.
Militarism
Militarism is when military values become part of society, and these values are celebrated and respected.
A quote defining militarism states that it involves viewing global problems as military issues, where political leaders first respond with force (Martin & Steuter, 2010, as cited in Desjardins, 2021).
This approach implies using violence to solve problems, and surveillance becomes significant in this context.
Research on This Topic
Four categories identify how sport interacts with militarism:
Sports events honoring the military on special appreciation nights.
Injured military personnel competing as athletes, like in the Invictus Games.
Sports uniforms increasingly resembling military gear.
Sponsors promoting military through sports, as seen in Pepsi commercials featuring armed forces.
Industrial Entertainment Complex
There is an emerging link between corporations and the armed forces, raising questions if this connection is natural.
The military pays sports teams to promote its image, showing their power to integrate influence into society.
Films, such as "Top Gun," also spread the military's influence.
Pat Tillman
The bond between sport and militarism is significant, where military language and culture are evident in sports.
Sports can transmit military influence due to their huge audiences.
Pat Tillman, a former NFL player, left his career to serve in the military and died in Afghanistan in 2004 under controversial circumstances.
His story highlights the long-standing connection between sports and military service.