ABSTRACT

Smolianov and Zakus, 2008, compared with many other sport development researchers, whose primary focus has been in the policy and politics fields, built an ideal-type model that is based on constructs. These mental constructs are the key elements necessary for a holistic sport development system to exist. The resultant elements then become the basis of analysis and comparison of different empirical possibilities. The field of comparative sport evolved from the older and wider field of comparative education and then from comparative physical education. The Smolianov and Zakus model follows German social scientist Max Webers methodology. This chapter discusses Webers ideal-type formation. It must be noted that the first ideal-type model of sport in the USA was constructed by Alan Ingham, 1978, in his doctoral dissertation. People use both Inghams and Webers words to define such a model.