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Name: How Soccer Explains the World
Author: Franklin Foer

Franklin Foer

An Unlikely Theory of Globalization

16 mins

Brief summary

How Soccer Explains the World by Franklin Foer delves into the cultural, political, and social impact of soccer around the globe. It offers a thought-provoking analysis of how the beautiful game reflects and influences the world.

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Football Culture Global Politics Economic Theory Social Philosophy International Economics

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How Soccer Explains the World
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What’s in it for me? Learn how soccer shapes global society.

Have you ever wondered why soccer, more than any other sport, captivates the hearts and minds of billions of people around the globe? It’s not just the thrill of competition or the passion of the fans; soccer is a mirror reflecting the interplay of cultural, economic, and political forces that shape our world.

In this Blink, we’ll embark on a globe-trotting tour through the soccer stadiums, back alleys, and suburban fields of humanity’s favorite sport. We’ll be diving into diverse societies, from the favelas of Brazil to the sophisticated boulevards of Europe and the politically charged stadiums of Iran, revealing how this global phenomenon influences and is influenced by societal conditions. As we’ll see, whether addressing ethnic conflicts, class warfare, or globalization, soccer offers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing challenges.

Nineties soccer mirrored and accelerated global cultural exchange

In the 1990s, as the world embraced globalization, soccer fans experienced a shift firsthand from their living rooms. With Rupert Murdoch’s Sky acquiring TV rights to the English Premier League, suddenly fans in North America could cheer for European teams from thousands of miles away. Soccer had become a truly global spectacle, illustrating the tangible effects of globalization through the universal language of sport.

This period also marked significant changes in the soccer labor market. Previously, the movement of players was highly regulated by national boundaries. For example, consider Pelé, Brazil's legendary soccer icon. At the peak of his career, when Juventus – a powerhouse in European soccer from Italy – made an offer for him, the Brazilian government intervened. They passed a law preventing him from transferring overseas, essentially declaring Pelé a national treasure too precious to export.

By the nineties, though, those restrictions had loosened. The deregulation of the soccer labor market led to an explosion in the number of foreign players in leagues across Europe. By 2010, the English Premier League was home to close to 300 foreign players, accounting for two-thirds of all players. Other leagues saw similar trends: in Germany’s top league, the Bundesliga, about half of the players were from abroad; in Spain’s top flight, La Liga, the figure stood around 40 percent. It wasn’t uncommon for a traditionally English team like Chelsea to field a lineup composed entirely of international players, or for Nigerian players to find themselves at Shakhtar Donetsk, a Ukrainian club rooted in the Soviet coal industry.

These changes mirrored broader global trends spurred by cheaper travel, the rise of the internet, and a wave of new trade agreements. As markets connected more seamlessly than ever before, soccer showcased new developments on the green pitch. The sport not only mirrored the world’s increasing interconnectedness but also highlighted the cultural and economic exchanges shaping our contemporary landscape. Soccer’s evolution through the 1990s and beyond offers a compelling lens through which to view the dynamic, ongoing process of globalization – a game truly reflecting the world’s coming together.

Soccer demonstrates how tribal identities can endure in an age globalization

In São Paulo, Brazil, soccer is more than just a game – it’s a representation of community and identity. Each club in the city mirrors a distinct demographic. Portuguese immigrants have their own club, as do Italian immigrants, the working class, and the elite. This isn’t a Brazilian phenomenon: clubs representing specific community identities is a common theme across soccer nations globally. Fans support these teams as extensions of their community identities, tied to geography, class, ethnicity, or religion.

According to commentators like Thomas Friedman, globalization was supposed to dilute these kinds of intense local identities, promoting a supra-national mentality that transcended traditional geographic boundaries. These kinds of thinkers suggested that as the world became more interconnected through economic integration, nationalistic sentiments would wane, replaced by a broader, more inclusive kinship. That’s not how things panned out.

Globalization doesn’t necessarily create more transparency

The historical home of soccer is undoubtedly England, where the game was invented and codified. But for many fans, Brazil is the sport’s spiritual home. Brazilians, it’s often said, play the game with greater panache than any other nationality. At their feet, soccer becomes o jogo bonito, “the beautiful game.”

But for all its self-evident qualities, Brazilian soccer has long been in crisis. In the age of globalization, Brazil’s domestic clubs are increasingly becoming so-called “feeder clubs.” These clubs excel at spotting and developing local talent, but they rarely retain their best players.

Soccer can be a revolutionary force

When the Shah of Iran assumed power in 1941, he launched an ambitious campaign to modernize the country, embracing Western fashion like suits and ties, and promoting Western sports, especially soccer. The government went so far as to repurpose mosque properties into soccer fields, positioning the sport as a symbol of modernity and progress. This move sparked outrage among religious leaders, particularly due to the attire of soccer players, whose uniforms featured shorts that exposed players’ thighs.

The Shah’s efforts were abruptly halted by the 1979 Islamic Revolution, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, which saw a sharp reversal in policies. The new regime restored the soccer fields to the mosques and actively discouraged the sport, challenging the populace with rhetorical questions about the relevance of sports amid unresolved political, economic, and cultural crises.

Soccer is more than a game in the United States – it’s a litmus test

Soccer in the US dances to a different beat than the rest of the world, where it roots deeply in working-class traditions. In the US, it’s embraced by the middle class, particularly on the coasts, where liberal values from the 1960s still shape attitudes towards sport. Soccer became the go-to for parents who frowned upon the violence of American football, the competitive spotlight on individual players in baseball, and basketball’s association with inner-city life. Soccer, with its emphasis on team play and perceived gentleness, aligned perfectly with a more cosmopolitan, peace-loving approach.

This association has led to a cultural clash within the US itself. The working class often views soccer with suspicion, seeing the middle class’s adoption of the game as a turn away from traditional American sports like baseball and football – sports that are seen as emblematic of American culture and values. The image of soccer fans as middle-class, French-cheese-eating, anti-war activists watching European matches in Barcelona jerseys only fuels these divisions. Soccer, for many, isn’t just a sport but a statement, and not necessarily a unifying one.

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What is How Soccer Explains the World about?

How Soccer Explains the World (2010) explores soccer’s profound impact on global culture, politics, and economics. Illustrating the ways in which the sport exemplifies and sometimes challenges the effects of globalization, it sheds light on the persistence of deep-seated tribal and sectarian identities in an increasingly globalized world.

How Soccer Explains the World Review

How Soccer Explains the World (2004) explores the intricate relationship between soccer and global societies, providing profound insights into cultural, political, and economic dynamics. Here's why this book is a worthwhile read:

Unveils unexpected connections between soccer matches and wider social issues, making it a fascinating exploration of the world beyond sports.
Offers compelling narratives from diverse cultures, shedding light on how soccer reflects and shapes national identities and values.
Through engaging storytelling and thought-provoking analysis, the book enhances our understanding of complex global phenomena in an accessible way.

Who should read How Soccer Explains the World?

Soccer fans curious about the sport’s global impact
Readers interested in sociology and global cultural trends
Anyone exploring intersections of sports, politics, and economics

About the Author

Franklin Foer is a journalist and author who writes on American culture and politics. He is a staff writer at the Atlantic and previously served as the editor of the New Republic. In addition to How Soccer Explains the World, Foer is the author of The Last Politician, a study of Joe Biden’s administration, and the co-editor of Jewish Jocks, which won a National Jewish Book Award.

Categories with How Soccer Explains the World

Politics Society & Culture Economics

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