In the Game of Soccer Nationalism Shines Bright

Globalization is tricky to understand. It is a contested concept, which many try to wrap their heads around.  One of the main points that many people take away from globalization is the concept of increased interconnectivity. Today, more than ever before people around the world are connected with one another, whether it is over the Internet, the phone, or simply the same brand of sneakers they wear on their feet. We have seen a huge increase in economic and financial flows across borders. Nations are exchanging goods, services, ideas, and cultures with one another, which has made the earth that we live on much smaller than it was 200 years ago. There are many positive aspects of globalization, as it has increased trade across the world, and bettered the livelihood of millions with increases in technology and medicine. But one of the major critiques of globalization is the deculturalization effect that it has on many cultures around the world. Many argue that globalization is ruining the cultures of many people, homogenizing nations, and killing nationalism. But, the game of soccer is a great example of how nationalism and globalization can co-exist with one another.

With the increased influx of goods, services, knowledge, cultures, etc. across borders many worry that globalization will crush nationalism. The idea of “Americanization” is very prominent today in the globalization conversation. We should ask: Is the United States along with other first world countries destroying cultures left and right as globalization and western culture spreads its reign. The game of soccer says no.

Soccer, the most popular sport in the world today, drawing in more than 250 million players from over 200 countries, is a great example of how nationalism and globalization can co-exist. As Franklin Foer, author of “How Soccer Explains the World” stated, “soccer teams don’t just represent players, they represent social class, religion, and nationality”. An increased interconnectedness from globalization was supposed to crush nationalism, but events such as the World Cup show us that nationalism can co-exist with globalization.

The sport of soccer is the most globalized sport in the world. The love for the game is shared amongst people from over 200 different countries. Soccer brings together people from all reaches of the earth, but it doesn’t trample their cultures and beliefs in the process like globalization does. Out on the pitch and in the stadium is where those cultures are shone most vibrant. Fans, covered in their team’s colors, cheer and fight their hearts out for their team, representing a unique culture shaped by various political, religious, and social beliefs. Soccer is a billion dollar industry, which prides itself on the uniqueness and diversity of its fans and the people who play the game. The sport of soccer is unique in a way as it represents the cultural diversity of the world in which we live. Nationalism and globalization shine bright on the pitch as we see a world more connected and diverse than ever before. 

            Soccer is a great representation of how nationalism and globalization can co-exist but unfortunately I do not believe it represents a plausible model for how we can protect the integrity of cultures around the world from wrath of globalization. The overwhelming number of goods, services, and ideas coming from the hegemon of the free world has killed off many unique and vulnerable cultures of third world countries. Many see globalization creating a more homogenized world, with fewer borders and less cultural diversity than ever before.  

Sources:

Foer, Franklin. How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization. New York: HarperCollins, 2004. Print.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Amo1b3BUgc