U.S. Globalism

The concept of globalization can be used to further a world wide democratic agenda. Although the strategies used by Arkan were excessive and immoral in nature, the United States could benefit from the ideology behind those tactics used. The national football league contains some of the most zealous citizens the U.S. has to offer. Not to mention that American football has more fans than any other sport in the country. The government could possibly enlist these fanatics to influence America’s foreign population to join the cause of spreading democracy throughout their respective homelands. This could create a plethora of opportunities and partnerships throughout the world. Because the government in the U.S. is as stable as it gets, there is no need to focus on any internal power struggle between opposing political parties. Foer’s book has shown us that with the right polarizing figure this goal can be achieved. Not only athletes, but also celebrities can be used as well for this campaign because of the reverence people who follow pop culture have for them. We read that not only lower class citizens were involved but also middle-upper-class citizens as well, which shows the power of patriotism regardless of circumstances those individuals might be facing. With the world changing daily and as states begin to experience power shifts it is important that the U.S. stay relevant in holding a position of power for two main reasons. One being that the U.S. has historically been a more rational actor than most states and with the advancement of nuclear weapons and military, the world needs a referee of some sort to advise against misuse of these weapons which can cause calamity. The second reason the United States needs to stay relevant in the global scheme deals with the fact that numerous economies are tied to the dollar. If the U.S. goes under they will need more than one big state to aid in our recovery.  

Integrating other nationalities will be key in this process/journey. President Obama just recently used his executive order to change the framework of our immigration system. I believe this will ultimately further the United States’ democratic campaign and aid globalization because of two reasons. First off with more people migrating into the country, there will be a greater collaborative effort on the part of foreign states to trade with the U.S. Secondly, a majority of people who migrate to this country have the goal of empowering themselves financially and then returning to their homelands. Through their stay in the United States, they will undoubtedly be influenced by the established system and when they do return that same influence can help spread democracy throughout the world. An example of this would be the NBA’s relation with China. The Chinese have shown a great appreciation for basketball and it has become one of if not the most popular sport in that state. Careful planning needs to executed in order for sports to have a large political impact, but we’re on the right path.

Connection of Soccer to Globalization and Diversity

When first reading How Soccer Explains the World by Franklin Foer, I immediately was reminded of the movie Green Street Hooligan’s. Although the movie is based in and on London soccer, it touches upon the history between soccer rivals and the gruesome behavior just like Foer does. But in Foer’s book, he exemplifies how the relationship between rivals coincides with globalization and how it works.

Throughout the book, Foer touches upon race and ethnicity, off and on the soccer field. The connection he leads from that to globalization is almost one you can make yourself by reading. In Chapter 2, Foer talks about the rivalry between the Rangers and the Celtics, leading all the way back to religion. He talks about the gruesome chants, murders and overall history, between the rivals. The rivalry is almost something they thrive off of individually and as a whole. This rivalry and overall belief in their cultures and religions, exemplifies what each country in the market feels and succeeds by. As noted in the chapter, “even in the global market, they draw supporters who crave ethnic identification” continuing to suggest that “if they lost their extremist sloganeering, they’d lose money. This right here, explained to me how globalization worked. Since these teams and fans live for their culture, their religion, their race, their ethnicity and are so passionate about it, it creates good business in the global market. Why try to globalize and be civil with the other country or in Foer’s case the rival soccer team, when you can gain more fans that want to live and fight for who and what they are. Although, we outsource as a nation, the United States is striving to be more USA made and keep jobs within the country for our economy. Just like many soccer teams will not trade players because they need them to win games.

Foer then discusses the Great Depression and the effects it had on Scotland. Because of the limited jobs and bad economy, the “religious scapegoating” kicked in and the relationship between the Celtics and Rangers really began to be dangerous.  Since the shipbuilding industry plummeted because of Germany and American surging, the negatives of globalization were apparent.

All in all, this book exemplifies how soccer explains the globalized war after war, race and religion struggles. The perspective Foer uses to show you in a simplified manner what globalization is, is very fascinating. I believe in all of his examples in regards to soccer. When a team recruits outside their country because they need better talent, it promotes key concepts of globalization such as, outsourcing to other countries that are more efficient and cultural diversity in the market (or team). After reading this book and watching that movie many years ago, I believe Foer makes many key points about how soccer truly explains the world of globalization and diversity.

Nationalism in a Globalized World

As the world continues on the path of globalization, what will be the fate of nation states? Will the democratic governments, fascist dictatorial regimes, and communist governments of the world survive in a world with widespread travel, communication and overall accessibility.  What will tie down a group of people together, rather than geography, forming the basis for a government body to exist? In the book, How Soccer explains the World, Franklin Foer argues the game of soccer as analysis and a metaphor for understanding the rapid globalization that has occurred in the world. Although many see the end of traditional national state governments, to be replaced by weak regional governments with more global governing organizations taking the forefront, I believe that soccer as much as it has aided globalization will actually maintain the status quo is governmental power and influence. This limited state power is embodied in the corporate driven utopia portrayed in the novel Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson.

            However, what the evidence given in Foer’s book I believe points to a different future, one where globalization still occurs, but through the utilization of soccer and other more deceptive tools, national governments will still retain power and significance. The cultural and social power of soccer is immense. The sense of national pride that is attained when the national team does well at the World Cup or when any sportsman does well in an Olympic event on the world stage that sense of nationalism is here to stay and I do not believe globalization will end that nationalist tendency in the citizens of the world. Although the growth in trade, corporate power and influence may not waver, the utilization of sports, soccer and other nationalistic events by political leaders will ensue the resilience of traditional governmental bodies.

            As soccer explains the new globalized world that has emerged out of the shadows of the cold war and major world wars of the 20^th century. The unification of the world through sport also unifies a nation. Just as World leaders attend World cup matches and the Olympics the hosting of these events, the attendance, all turns very political very quickly. The political rhetoric brought by soccer, only possible through globalization, I believe will fuel a return to a more state driven national identity that will propel forward in to international relations. This unavoidable conclusion will hold back the world to other benefits of globalization, as geographic cultural influences surpass the transparency of globalization. However at the same time this nationalism can prevent corporate power from reaching level of supreme control.

Arkan, Serbian Soccer and ISIL

            Franklin Foer offers an in depth view into the unfamiliar word of Serbian soccer, one dominated by violence, intimidation and Mafioso’s.  Arkan, a dangerous assassin, purchases the Serbian soccer club Obilic and uses unconventional tactics, such as death threats and intimidation to win the national championship.  ISIL seems to be doing the same, with a more deadly intention and anti-establishment sentiment.

            ISIL is very similar to the Serbian mobster, Arkan.  ISIL uses intimidation very well, through well-produced videos of beheadings and open threats to Americans.  Arkan did the same with any rival soccer team coming to play in his stadium.  He would routinely threaten players of the opposing team, arm fans inside the stadium with weapons and verbally abusing the opposing team during half time in the locker room.  In both cases, these actions led the actors to become recognized by more and more people, and feared by important ones.  Politicians and Americans are afraid of ISIL just as rival players and fans were afraid of Arkan and Obilic.  But this is only the first part of the story of Obilic.

            Once credibility and fear was established, there was a counteroffensive from other team owners in Serbia.  They aligned together and told Arkan that his intimidation tactics would not work against them.  They called his bluff.  We are starting to see this with the conflict against ISIL.  The US and other Western targets of theirs are realizing that their capabilities may not be all that they bragged about and intimidation tactics don’t work against powerful forces.  That’s when the US retaliated and started killing off their leadership, similar to how the other team owners treated Arkan.

            The story concludes with the assassination of Arkan and the dethroning of Obilic, as well as the political party supported by Arkan.  Although this part has not yet happened in the conflict against ISIL, one can’t help but speculate due to the striking similarities as to how both actors have used their power.  Although ISIL may not necessarily be physically killed off like Arkan was, ultimately his source of illegitimate power collapsed from under him and led to his demise.  The same may happen with ISIL, when external pressure and unrest causes them to collapse.  Although there are a lot of differences between the two situations, illegitimate power and unconventional methods of keeping it, such as intimidation and threats rarely lead to successful long-term power.

            Overall, the differences between ISIL and Arkan may be fundamentally different, but their trajectories and progressions are very similar.  From this, however premature it may be to make judgments about the future of ISIL, one can’t help but wonder if the future of ISIL ends similarly to the demise of Arkan.

Globalization

Franklin Foer’s book How Soccer Explains the World, offered a different perspective on how globalization works. Overall, I found the novel very intriguing. Specifically, chapter six “How Soccer Explains the Black Carpathians.” Chapter six discusses how the Ukrainian Premier League recruits Nigerian soccer players to play for their teams. It directly relates to globalization in terms of outsourcing and loss of cultural diversity.

            Outsourcing in corporations isn’t something rare. Many corporations, like Dell and Nike, partake in outsourcing because it reduces cost of production of a good. It also allows goods to be reasonably priced for consumers. One negative of outsourcing certain aspects of your company oversea is the big difference between cultures. In Foer’s novel, it was said that Nigerians were recruited because it was a good investment for the Ukrainian soccer team. That then is outsourcing in soccer. The cultural differences between the Ukrainians and the Nigerian players caused high tensions. Ukrainians believed that with the amount of money spent on the outsourced recruitments could have been used to recruit Ukrainians. Playing in another country was a big culture change for the Nigerian player Edward Anyamkyegh. He said, “It’s hard for African players to adapt, especially when you have training sessions at minus 25.” When outsourcing, one has to consider and understand the culture of the outsourcing country. That would dictate their work practice, ethics, etc. In Ukraine they often practice in below zero temperatures so it was something Edward had to adapt to so he could play. 

A critique of globalization is that cultures may lose cultural diversity. In Foer it was said, “It broke down into factions. You would walk into the team dining room and find the various nationalities eating at their own separate tables. They would sit apart on the team bus and at practice.” The Ukrainian interacted with the Yugoslavs because their cultures and language were similar. They often ignored the Nigerians so tensions and racism were high at the time. Ukrainian players weren’t open to the idea of having player from other countries. Foer said that they thought it was a humiliation to have to have Nigerian players imported to have a great soccer team again. The players also believed that all the money used to recruit players like Edward could have been used to train a young Ukrainian for the team. The Ukrainian team didn’t want much change for their team. In globalization, with the interconnectedness of different nations, countries lose cultural identity and often become less culturally diverse since one country usually has more power.

Globalization has its positives and negative. It also depends of the perspective it is looked at. Globalization allows countries to communicate faster with each other and trade is made easier but there are often people who don’t gain as much. Countries are prone to lose certain aspects of their cultures and there’s often “losers” in globalization. In Foer, the losers would be those who could have had the opportunity at the soccer position but it instead was outsourced to another country. Foer’s connections of soccer to globalization put a different type of perspective of globalization. Overall, globalization is something that can be very helpful to the international world.