ABSTRACT
This paper provides an analysis of the internal values and the internal logic of sport, which
combine to ‘make peace’ via their isomorphism with political liberalism, especially the
liberal idea of the ‘contract to contest’, and its emphasis on equality, respect, mutuality and
other ‘human rights’ values. It is this peacemaking capacity of sport that informs its
peacekeeping potential. In doing so, I will be taking a contrary view to those who think
that sport itself is a form of violent conflict, and so is antithetical to peace promotion; and
those who think that sport has no (intrinsic) values. So, to begin with, we must clear the
ground by identifying and rectifying three important mistakes, all expressed in the
previous sentence, which have led to confusion and obstructed our vision of the nature of
sport.
