Islamic States and Soccer

Foer’s chapter in How Soccer Explains the World does an awesome job at recognizing soccer as one of the few vehicles of globalization that have been effective in Iran (and most of the Islamic Middle East for that matter) over the last century or so. Some of his examples regarding soccer are undeniable in how they have encouraged globalization in Iran and other states that are largely governed by an Islamic regime. The way Foer analyzes Iran’s timeline over the last century and how it has reacted to globalization depicts a sort of back-and-forth pattern in the country. It would appear that in the first half of the twentieth century, under rule of the Shahs, the country was open to globalization. Western influence was growing and the leaders of the state encouraged adopting western ideas and certain cultures. Then a period in the eighties and nineties, heavily influenced by Iranian clerics, undid and put a halt to much of the globalization that occurred earlier in the state. One of the events in the late nineties that confronted this period of anti-globalization, as pointed out by Foer, was the 1997 World Cup qualifying win against Australia. This win “demanded a more liberal Iran.” This pattern continues following this new period, which contains this “Football Revolution” and would appear value similar ideas toward globalization as the first part of the twentieth century. In this part of Foer’s book, he seems to question whether or not soccer can continue to be a promoter of globalization in Islamic states, despite other failing methods used to promote globalization in these areas.

The methods most often used to attempt to make these Islamic states participate in globalization have been failures. Foer points out one way, used most notably by the US, as “injecting globalization”. So far it hasn’t worked. Injecting globalization into these areas is perceived by Islamic states as the west exploiting these area’s underdeveloped and un-modern ways of life… and I don’t blame them. While globalization can contribute positively to places that allow it to occur, it is almost natural instinct to reject things that are forced down your throat. Similar to this, is what Foer describes as the US’s unique position as the only force advocating democracy in Islamic states. This has caused a “hate the messenger” sensation toward the US due to their aggressive ways in forcing their foreign policy, alone. Again, I can’t say I blame these areas for not cooperating with an enemy’s attempt to install a foreign government in their home land. I agree with Foer that at this point, things like soccer are these places’ best bet to advocate globalization. Soccer can be identified by globalization in so many ways from the players to the brands to the leagues, that it will always be liberating to those who are exposed to it. As long as soccer exists, a window of globalization will be available. Soccer may not be a super strong way to begin attempting to have globalization occur in these areas which shy away from it, but it is a way to move in the right direction.