ABSTRACT
In approaching the study of sport for the first time, it is useful to think about contemporary approaches to the study of sport, culture and society. One of the peculiarities of most general books in this area is that many, but not all, are still discussed largely in isolation from a broader or dated context and, to a lesser extent, the societies of which they are part. Many sporting texts are not written from the standpoint of the critical thinker, economist or political scientist, all of whom have used concepts, ideas and theories as a basis for explaining and understanding sport as part of social life. Studies of sport have helped to provide insights into different ways of understanding the world of sport. Yet, all have made domain assumptions, adopted starting points, prioritised certain questions and marginalised others.
