ABSTRACT
This comprehensive collection examines the culture of sport and its relationship with various social institutions. The editors first provide a broad overview of the field and describe the ways in which the concept of sport as a meritocratic contest is undermined by the powerful social structures within which it is embedded. Sections focus on political economy, violence, the media, education, politics, fans and community, and the body. Primary readings from noted scholars in each section address current issues such as the presence of big-time sports in educational institutions; the effects of corporate media; race and class relations; professional athletes' ties to politics; and how sports alter perceptions and practices regarding beauty and health. In addition, entertaining and provocative essays from journalists supplement academic readings and spotlight key issues. Section introductions from the editors connect the readings to a theoretical framework that explores the perspectives of new institutionalism, cultural hegemony, social capital, and symbolic interaction and cultural construction. Providing a cohesive foundation for a wide range of readings, Sport, Power, and Society is a must-have resource for understanding the current issues and debates surrounding the interactions of sport and society.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part 1|46 pages
Raiding the Public Treasury: The Political Economy of Professional Sports
chapter 4|10 pages
America’s Fastest Growing Sport
part 2|4 pages
The Faustian Bargain: Bigtime Sports and the Media
chapter 7|14 pages
Losing Control of the Ball
chapter 9|5 pages
Football, Television, And The Supreme Court
part 3|3 pages
True Love, or A Marriage of Convenience? Sports and Education
part 4|4 pages
The Power of Athletics: Sports and Politics
part 5|4 pages
More than a Game: Fandom and Community in Sports
chapter 24|16 pages
Supporters, Followers, Fans, and Flâneurs
chapter 25|26 pages
Something about Baseball
part 6|3 pages
Socializing the Anatomy: Body Culture and Sport
part 7|3 pages
Giving Up Your Body: Violence and Injuries In Sports