ABSTRACT
The inter-relationship between sport and politics is obvious on all levels, as exemplified by international sports mega-events, money distribution from national governments to sports organisations and the development of regional and local promotional programmes for leisure and high-performance sport. Questions arise, therefore, regarding which means and ends, as well as which institutional arrangements, shape the sport policy of governments and administrations. Unity is not always apparent between sport and politics; rather, there are a variety of interests, perspectives and conflicts. Against this background, this chapter focuses on unity and conflicts in Spanish sports policy with regard to the inter-relationship between state institutions and sport federations on the national level. Based on political system theory, the interaction of state and sport actors is illustrated and explained as a process with inputs, outputs and feedback loops. In the case of Spain, the primary aim is national unity, although regional claims for more competences and self-determination (especially financial and economic aspects) do play a role. This affects sport from both a structural and cultural perspective.
