Franklin Foer - How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization

Journalist Franklin Foer uses the world's favorite sport as a microcosm for exploring the ramifications of globalization on our world. As Foer demonstrates, the complex processes of globalization have actually sparked a resurgence of nationalism and tribal culture, as demonstrated by the intense loyalty of soccer fans for their local team. Using examples from Brazil, Italy, Kenya, Serbia, and Spain, Foer shows how the rosters and rivalries of soccer teams often emphasize divisions of class, religion, gender and other social markers. Thus, the phenomenal global popularity of soccer is intricately woven with billions of unique relationships between fans and the teams or clubs they most closely associate with at a local level. American apathy towards soccer strengthens the metaphor, as, with so many other relevant environmental, social, and economic issues of international importance, the wealthiest nation in the world seems to consider itself exempt from the dictates of this global development.

Key Information
Authors		Franklin Foer
Nonfiction Category		Social Science • Sports & Recreation
Book Editions
		Paperback288May 11, 2010Perennial9780061978050