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Sport & Society

The Relationship between Sport and Politics in Italy EMILY BARSTOW & JACK CASTELLI . Sport & Society.

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Sport & Society

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  1. The Relationship between Sport and Politics in Italy EMILY BARSTOW & JACK CASTELLI Sport & Society

  2. In Italy, sport is a conduit through which the core issues of society can be viewed. Specifically, the popularity of sport in the nation make it a prime candidate as a tool for the manipulation of people. Because sport/competition is naturally divisive, in a culturally-divided nation like Italy, its effects are further magnified. “Equally, it would be illogical to ignore how sport has spotlighted the fissures in the national character and nation-state but, even so, this still represents real rather than imagined Italy, where difference and diversity are pillars of the nation.” (Martin, 252) Intro

  3. Sport is applicable to a variety of groups of people in society. Sports in Italy reflect the underlying issues of politics in the nation It is easy for certain institutions/politicians to express their outside ideas and biases with sport and acquire support Often, sport is the subject of political manipulation, with both positive and negative results, depending on the point of view Intro

  4. Culture of physical prowess since antiquity The train of thought: if the individual is fit, and competitively sound, their unification will be fit and sound as well Turin Gymnastics Society: originally open to all members of society, the aim was to increase the physical abilities of Italians in order to create a more viable military Introduced by King Carlo Alberto as a “pre-military model” for the creation of the “citizen soldier” Physical Fitness

  5. Catholics were generally pro-sport during liberal Italy because they thought it was patriotic and moral and prepared citizens for combat ORATORIA- attempted to lure children to mass by promoting soccer. This exemplified politicization because the Catholic church utilized the popularity of sport to garner support. If the promotion of the DC party and their values is viewed as beneficial for society, then this politicization is positive Catholic Sport

  6. Politicization of sport due to the underlying issue between Catholic and Socialist groups Socialists generally against sports Thought that sport was too distracting from the problems of society Red Cyclists – used bicycle as propaganda for Socialist ideals, mobilize mass support, encouraged to ride Avanti bicycles Socialists vs. Catholics

  7. Positive aspects The use of the bicycle brought more mobility to people and this helped to integrate the diversity of Italy Touring Club Italia – private club brought a form of unity to Italy by promoting cycling. It created uniform maps of the nation and promoted better infrastructure GiroD’italia- can be viewed as a positive in the sense that it eventually led to national, unified support for Italian riders versus foreign competitors Cycling

  8. Negative aspects Politicization of sport media – La Gazzetta created the GiroD’italia for readership Stimulated debate and over-highlighted political differences in Coppi/Bartali rivalry Cycling

  9. Balilla – “citizen soldier” Mussolini – manipulation of sport and sporting achievements Widespread to all members of society to attain maximum support, team mentality attempted to unify people Primo Carnera Football world cup victory Fascism

  10. Umberto Eco – the armed struggle and World Cup Sunday Eco is saying that sport (football) is an escape from political problems But is sport a separate escape? Or is it a field of play for differing political views? Sport debate substitute for political debate An Escape?

  11. “Italians lose wars as if they were football matches and play football matches as if they were wars” (Winston Churchill) Fan rivalries = political/ideological rivalries Cultural/regional differences Most teams had their own ultra groups ForzaNuova – mobilized by extreme right Ultras

  12. “Berlusconi used his television network and AC Milan to completely footballize the language of politics” (Martin 212 Combination of media and sport – politicization Used sport to appeal to masses of society that increasingly valued athletics on the public Berlusconi

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