The world through soccer: the cultural impact of a global sport

Description

The world's most popular sport, soccer is a global and cultural phenomenon. The television audience for the 2010 World Cup included nearly half of the world's population, with viewers in nearly every country. As a reflection of soccer's significance, the sport impacts countless aspects of the world's culture, from politics and religion to business and the arts. In The World through Soccer: The Cultural Impact of a Global Sport, Tamir Bar-On utilizes soccer to provide insights into worldwide politics, religion, ethics, marketing, business, leadership, philosophy, and the arts. Bar-On examines the ways in which soccer influences and reflects these aspects of society, and vice versa. Each chapter features representative players, providing specific examples of how soccer comments on and informs our lives. These players—selected from a wide array of eras, countries, and backgrounds—include Diego Maradona, Pelé, Hugo Sánchez, Cha Bum-Kun, Roger Milla,... AcknowledgmentsForewordIntroductionChapter 1: Saving the nation - Soccer and national identityChapter 2: "Believe, obey, and fight" - Soccer and dictatorsChapter 3: Winning hearts and minds - Soccer, ideological hegemony, and "class warfare"Chapter 4: "One ball can change the world" - Soccer and social changeChapter 5: Gods and their shrines - Soccer as a pagan religionChapter 6: Playing fair - Soccer and ethicsChapter 7: The business of business - Soccer, business, and marketingChapter 8: Leading by example - Soccer as a leadership opportunity Chapter 9: Dreaming of Wembley or Anfield - Soccer, dreams, and childhoodChapter 10: Immortal heroes? - Soccer and the meaning of lifeChapter 11: Soccer and fine arts - The pitch as canvas and player as artistConclusionAppendixBibliographyAbout the Author