Unit 5 Flashcards
Differentiate between state, government, politics…
Theory of State
What is the Canadian state? The “state” is that complex of institutions which politically embodies the values and interests of the people (Gruneau, 1982). A state embodies the notion of homogeneity and somehow implies that people within the “state” have similar interests and values. This is true on certain levels.
Most people assume that government is the state, where in actuality it is the administrative arm of the state.
Government: formal organizations and agencies that have the authority to make rules regulating people’s behaviour.
Politics: power and how it is used and gained in social life…politics is involved in all our social relationships and organizations.
Why does the Government get involved in sports?
1) To safeguard public order: rules are made as to which types of sports are in fact, legal.
2) Maintaining Public Fitness
3) Promoting National Prestige
4) Promoting a Sense of Unity
5) Emphasize Values Consistent with the Dominant IdeologY
6) Increase Support for Political Leaders
What would an example of hegemony be?
They give the example that the makers of Coca-Cola want us to make drinking Coke a big part of our lives and want us to associate drinking the ghastly brown bubbly with good times and pleasure. They want us to make consumption a part of our lives without which we’d be missing out on so much! This is hegemony, when one organization tries to assert its power over another group while at the same time legitimizing this assumption of power.
So the ideal of “consumerism” infiltrating all elements of society would be an example of hegemony.
girls wearing white skates
What are some suggestions as to how can we “de-politicize” the Olympic Games?
1) Do away with national uniforms for athletes.
Revise the opening ceremonies so that athletes enter the stadium with other athletes in their events. For example, their could be flags depicting various sports instead of different countries.
2) Eliminate national anthems and flags during the awards and ceremonies. emphasize the ATHLETES as opposed to their nations.
3) Eliminate medal counts. This distracts attention from the achievements of athletes.
4) Develop multi-national teams. (perhaps with so many athletes as “global migrant workers”, we are in fact already heading in that direction?)
5) Add to each Game, demonstration sports native to cultural regions where the Games are held.
6) Use “multiple sites” for each Olympic Games.
7) Emphasize global responsibility in media coverage and commercials.
How can sport be used as a means of political propaganda? Examples?
Political leaders well know the benefits in aligning themselves with sport and its popularity. This has been used since the time of the Romans as a means of political leverage. Think how often presidents and prime ministers are seen throwing the opening pitch in baseball, getting the opening kick at a football game or dropping the puck at an important hockey match. Conversely, some former athletes have used their celebrity status to support their political ambitions
co-sponsership of the 2002 world cup of soccer was intended to reinforce the image of South Korea on the world’s Stage
