Discussion question
Why do governments often sponsor and control sports?
1. Safeguard the public order
2. Ensure the fairness and protect human rights
3. Maintain health and fitness among citizens
4. Promote the prestige and power of a group, community, or nation
5. Promote a sense of identity, belonging, and unity among citizens
6. Reproduce dominant values and ideologies in a community or society
7. Increase support for political leaders and government
8. Facilitate economic and social development in a community or society
An ability to influence people and achieve goals, even in the face of opposition from others.
Power
When governments lack _________, using sports to spread values does not work.
What is the role of the Olympic Games and other sport mega-events in global politics and processes?
If mega-events such as the Olympics are indeed special events with positive potential, efforts should be made to maximize that potential. Limiting nationalism and commercialism and emphasizing the interdependence of nations would be helpful and could be done many ways.
A form of power that comes with a recognized and legitimate status or office in a government, an organization, or an established set of relationships.
Authority
_________ _________ serving large numbers of people are less organized, less likely to have powerful supporters, and less able to give precise statements of their goals and the political significance of their programs.
Recreational sports
How are political processes involved in sports and sport organizations?
1. What qualifies as a sport?
2. What are the rules of sport?
3. Who makes and enforces rules?
4. Who organizes and controls events?
5. Where will events take place?
6. Who is eligible to participate?
7. Hows are rewards distributed?
Processes of organizing social power and making decisions that affect people's lives in a social world.
Politics
______ ______ are highly organized, have strong backing from other organized groups, and base their requests for support on visible accomplishments achieved in the name of the entire country or city.
Elite sports
How are sports connected with global politics that involve nation-states, transnational corporations, and nongovernmental organizations?
Powerful transnational corporations have joined nation-states as major participants in global political processes. As a result, sports and used increasingly for economic as well as political purposes.
Formal organizations with the power to make and enforce rules in a particular territory or collection of people.
Governments
Create _______ communication lines between people and leaders from different nations.
open
Public expressions of togetherness in the form of cultural exchanges and general communication among officials from various nations.
Public Diplomacy
Sports have __ influence when it comes to serious diplomacy.
no