Sport, Nationalism, and Globalization: European and North American Perspectives - Paperback

by Alan Bairner (Author)

Explores the relationship between sport and national identities within the context of globalization in the modern era.

Sport and nationalism are arguably two of the most emotional issues in the modern world. Both inspire intense devotion and frequently lead to violence. In this book, Alan Bairner discusses the relationship between sport and national identities in Europe and North America-specifically Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, the United States, and Canada-within the context of a broader theoretical debate about the impact of globalization in the modern era. Through a unique comparative perspective, the author sheds new light on the ways sport impacts the construction and reproduction of national identities. Ultimately, the work considers the role of sport in allowing nations and nationalists to resist, or at least come to terms with, powerful globalizing pressures.

Author Biography

Alan Bairner is Professor in Sports Studies in the School of Applied Medical Sciences and Sports Studies at the University of Ulster at Jordanstown, Northern Ireland. He is the coauthor of Sport, Sectarianism and Society in a Divided Ireland and coeditor of Sport in Divided Societies.