Globalization and Football

This timely book provides an engaging, clear view of the interrelationships within key globalization processes and the global sport of football.

Giulianotti and Robertson advance an intelligent and critical analysis that combines the conceptual and methodological aspects of global studies with the cultural complexity of the 'beautiful game'. The social history and global diffusion of football are examined, as well as the game's wider cultural, economic, political and social dimensions.

Using football to chart increasing levels of transnational connectivity and global consciousness, the authors explore how the game may be understood as a metric, mirror, motor and metaphor of globalization.

Issues discussed include:

football's position as the 'global game'

transnational identities of clubs and players, and the global civil society

cosmopolitanism and Americanization

neo-liberal policies and key inequalities

politics, nations, and international governance

The book is ideal for students and academics with interests in sport, globalization and cultural relations. It will also appeal to wider readers who are curious about transnational processes, or who are passionate about the game of football.