13 Week Nine: Sport and Policy

13.1 Introduction

Sport is more than competition; it’s a powerful lens through which we can examine society, governance, and cultural transformation.

By exploring Foucault’s theories on power and Habermas’s concept of the public sphere, we’ll examine how sport shapes, and is shaped by, societal structures, public debates, and policy decisions.

We’ll think critically about the intersection of sport, power, and policy, and how these forces influence each other.

13.2 Takeaway

Sports policies reflect societal values, and shape how sport is organised, funded, and played.

13.3 Key Questions

By the end of this week’s lecture, you should be able to answer the following questions:

How does Foucault’s concept of disciplinary power help us understand the way athletes are trained and regulated in modern sport?
How does the media’s role in sports broadcasting expand the public sphere and influence societal debates, such as those on racism or gender equality?
In what ways does sport reflect societal values and norms, and how can it act as a platform for driving social change?
How can ethical challenges like doping and surveillance in sport be balanced with the need for fairness and athlete safety?

13.4 Themes

This week’s lecture is organised around four themes:

Theoretical Framework - Power and Governance
Theoretical Framework - The Public Sphere
Integration 1 - Sport and Society/Sport and Politics/ The Dark Side of Sport
Integration 2 - Sport and Young People/ Sport and Finance/ Sport and Inclusion

13.5 Theories

We’ll learn about the following theories:

Power and Governance (Foucault)
The Public Sphere (Habermas)

13.6 Discussion Questions

In small groups, select one of the following questions and use it as a starting point for a discussion of today’s material. There are some suggestions for things you might talk about.

Question 1

How does sport policy reflect societal priorities and values, and what impacts does it have on the organisation, funding, and participation of sport at all levels?

For example, you might consider:

Can you provide examples of how sport policy in your region or country reflects societal values and priorities?
How does sport policy impact the funding of different types of sports in your area?
How do sport policies influence participation in sport at grassroots levels?
In what ways might societal values and priorities shape the development and implementation of sport policies?

Question 2

How is sport policy linked to wider social objectives and concerns such as health, education, and social cohesion?

For example, you might consider:

How can sport policies contribute to health objectives in a society?
How might sport policies play a role in advancing educational objectives?
Can you provide examples of how sport can contribute to social cohesion through policy implementation?
What challenges or obstacles might arise when integrating sport policy with wider social objectives and concerns?

13.7 Reading

All reading for the module can be accessed via the module reading list on myplace.

Preparatory Reading

You should read the following paper before this week’s lecture:

Strittmatter, Stenling, C., Fahlén, J., & Skille, E. (2018). Sport policy analysis revisited: the sport policy process as an interlinked chain of legitimating acts. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 10(4), 621–635.

13.8 Lecture Outline

Today’s lecture is structured as follows:

Theoretical Framework – Power and Governance

Foucault’s Concepts

Who Was Foucault?

French philosopher; key figure in post-structuralism.
Explored power, knowledge, and societal control (Discipline and Punish, The History of Sexuality).

What Did He Write About?

Power and Knowledge: Interconnected forces shaping society.
Social Institutions: Tools of control (e.g., schools, prisons).
Discourses: Language and ideas shape reality and behaviour.

Core Principles

Power and Social Order

Maintains control, shapes behaviour, and adapts with societal changes.

Biopower

Governing through health and population regulation (e.g., public health campaigns).
Focuses on fostering life and societal well-being.

Power Dynamics in Sport

Introduction

Sports enforce discipline through training, regulations, and codes of conduct.
Represent power dynamics in identity and commercial influence.

Sports Organisations and Surveillance

Performance tracking, behaviour regulation, and data collection balance safety and privacy concerns.

Justification of Surveillance

Ensures fairness, detects health risks, and enhances performance.

Governance and Coaching

Docile Bodies: Athletes shaped by training and lifestyle control.
Norms and Self-Regulation: Coaches enforce rules, leading to internalised discipline.

Applications to Policy

NFL Helmet Safety

Enforced safety standards minimise risks and set equipment norms.

Gender Verification

Policies classify athletes by biology, reflecting power over identity.

Theoretical Framework – The Public Sphere

Habermas’s Concepts

Who Was Habermas?

German sociologist focused on democracy and public discourse (The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere).

What Is the Public Sphere?

A space for inclusive, rational debate that shapes public opinion and policy.

Media and Sport as a Public Sphere

Media as a Facilitator

Broadens debate through commentary and analysis, influencing views.

Influence on Policy and Perception

Media campaigns drive changes (e.g., racism, athlete pay, gender equality).

Sport as a Platform for Democratic Participation

Case Studies

Anti-Racism: NFL kneeling protests drove policy changes.
Athlete Compensation: Media debates led to collegiate athlete profit policies.
Gender Equality: Pay gap exposure led to reforms.

Integration 1 – Sport and Society

Sport as a Reflection of Society

Connection Between Sport and Society

Mirrors societal values, drives progress, and highlights inequalities.

Foucault’s Perspective

Disciplinary Power: Training and rules enforce norms.
Biopower: Sport promotes fitness and body image ideals.

Habermas’s Perspective

Public Discussion**: Events like the Olympics spark debates on global unity, nationalism, and inclusion.

Sport and Politics

Connection Between Sport and Politics

Reflects political issues (e.g., nationalism, diplomacy, social justice).