Soccer and Globalization

How Soccer Explains the American Culture Wars

                Franklin Foer quotes a study done by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association that stated by 2002, 1.3 million more kids played soccer than Little League baseball. Baseball is considered an American sport, while soccer has always been prevalent in Europe. Foer uses soccer as an example of one way Americans are trying to get with the rest of the world’s program by abandoning their own traditions. He says, “Americans are such suckers when it comes to something with a European label,” but is this really a fair judgment?

                We have discussed that globalization is not a new concept. States began communicating in the 1500’s when there was a rise of European trade and exploration. International trade volumes were also very high leading up to World War II. States are constantly changing but that does not necessarily mean they are “suckers” for adopting new culture habits such as soccer. Foer says some groups are concerned with the amount of relativism seeping into the American way of life. They believe the country has lost the self-confidence to make basic moral judgments to condemn evil. In other words, the growing popularity of soccer among upper class Americans is a symbol of America becoming weaker and not being able to make strong political choices.

                Although their points may be valid, globalization is also a way to keep friendly relations with other states. For example, the McDonald’s theory of war was mentioned in lecture which means that no two countries with a McDonald’s in them will ever go to war. That seems a little extreme but the concept is states that act alike will be less likely to go to war because their economies and cultures are intertwined. It is easier to go to war with a state when they have nothing in common with your state’s values.

This idea can relate to soccer because the growing popularity of soccer in the United States is another way we can relate to Europe or other states and keep stable relations. For example, Foer mentioned in spring of 2001, the U.S. national team played Honduras in Washington’s Robert Francis Kennedy stadium in a vital World Cup match. He says the world often views American’s as “hyper nationalistic” meaning extremely patriotic, but when Honduras fans traveled to this game, they realized they were cheering louder than any American fan. Soccer became a way for states to communicate with each other and prove stereotypes to be inaccurate.

The United States is not immune to globalization and that is not a bad thing! By accepting other states cultures, we become more connected to them which can also positively impact international political relations. Soccer should not be seen as only a European sport just like baseball should not be seen as only an American sport. Increased communication does not make America weaker but instead keeps us on the same page as everyone else.