Franlin Foer’s book “How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization,” is not what it seems on the outside. Before reading this book, I was neither interested in the sport of soccer and its marketplace, nor did I believe that the game of soccer could possibly have in impact on the global landscape. First of all, the title as soccer being “An Unlikely Theory of Globalization” is somewhat ironic; before reading it sounds like a true assessment, but after reading Foer’s narratives, it becomes apparent that soccer actually has had the power to change global society and the societies of the individual countries within the world. Directly in the prologue, Foer clearly establishes that the book covers three different main ideas. I would like to focus on the first two of the three. The first covers “the failure of globalization to erode ancient hatreds in the game’s great rivalries” (Foer, 5). The second mainly “uses soccer to address economies” (Foer, 5).

            The most impressive aspect of the book is Foer’s ability to cover a diverse narrative of a different group or nation in each chapter. The first three chapters, specifically, employ the feeling that the reader is interacting with both Foer and the groups of people whom he assimilates himself into; which I believe is his most powerful writing strategy. For instance, he places himself within the group of Ranger fans, in particular a man named Jimmy, whose Protestant club rivals the Catholic Celtics. He partakes in buying them pints of whiskey and chanting offensive anti-Celtic phrases such as “fuck the Pope.” Jimmy teaches Foer a lot about the history and differences between the two clubs and their locations. Violence is a reoccurring theme fans of rival teams in soccer. This rivalry is not exception to this, especially in the Rangers’ home city, Glasgow, where Celtic fans will be killed for wearing a green and orange jersey of their beloved club. In Serbia, this violence has historically been the most gruesome of any other nation, where thousands have been killed because of the rising nationalism caused by the growth and pride of their soccer team, the Red Star Belgrade.

            Although the violence over soccer shows how people in different countries interact with each other, it fails to show any beneficial improvement to globalization. In fact, the shows the exact opposite, because the borders between nations become more of militarized barriers rather than friendly borders. Even though Foer’s narratives in the first part of the book convey soccer and its fans to be violent and racist, the second part tells the success stories within soccer to help boost economies and spread globalization. My main interest is in the soccer legend Pelé, who lifted Brazilian soccer from a lack of outside interest into the focus of soccer globally. With his mesmorizing dribble talent and his uncanny ability to shoot and score goals from difficult angles, Pelé attracted soccer attention to Brazil from areas that usually overlooked the country as a whole. Not only did Pelé enhance soccer globally, but in doing so, he enabled soccer to thrive in his home country. Pelé traveled to the United States, where he played and spread Brazilian soccer. Along with this, Pelé transformed into a capitalist, and eventually brought these new ideas to soccer in Brazil. Although Pelé made some questionable and unethical financial decisions regarding soccer after he retired, there is no denying his great influence on the globalization of Brazil through soccer.

            Foer’s book both shows how soccer tore down the possibilities of globalization in some countries and allowed it to flourish in others. Although soccer’s violent fans have claimed the lives of thousands of people, there is no denying that the game has brought the world together for the better. If any of us forget this, we can become easily reminded every four years at the World Cup.

Globalization and the Already Unstable Middle East

            Globalization has had profound impact on culture, consumerism and politics throughout the world, and particularly within Southwest Asia. For the most part, the Middle East has always prided itself on its tradition, culture, religion and near isolation from the outside world. However, in this growing globalized world, the Middle East has become exposed to modernization, democracy, freedom and outside cultures, which have had a significant affect on the societies that are present. While globalization is usually perceived as a positive for the world, for this region, the problems that have arisen due to increased globalization are certainly impactful on citizens within these countries, and for the rest of the world. Increased globalization in the area has done a lot in increasing the call for secularization and freedom, but it has also left an already unstable region even worse off, and oppressive regimes more likely to resort to aggressive tendencies.

            Globalization and the spread of western culture, food and ideologies to the primarily traditionally Muslim and conservative Middle East has led to significant instability in the region, with two very separate sides grappling for control of everyday life. The traditional, Muslim clerics in various countries in this region are in a constant struggle with the progressive and modernized youth who are fighting for freedom, westernization and modernization within society. Though this move towards Western ideology, democracy and freedom would seem to be in line with the American culture, and would therefore be a positive for the United States, it is leading to significant problems around the region. Today’s Middle East region is a collection of western and traditional culture and way of life, with western restaurants and movie theaters lining streets that women in Burqas are walking though. This clash of two very distinctive ways of life has caused significant clashes between traditional government and power structures and the westernized and freedom hungry younger citizens. Take Iran for example. As Franklin Foer described in his book, How Soccer Explains the World, Iran was exposed to certain detrimental aftereffects of globalization, particularly concerning the rise of theocracy and the loss of any semblance of western or liberal ideology. Specifically, Foer discusses how the Shah’s regime “pushed the country too hard, too fast” in its attempt at modernization and globalization (Foer 228). This inevitably lead to the 1979 Iranian Revolution and the rise of the theocratic regime, which pushed Iran deeper into a world of traditional and cultural closed mindedness. Foer is adamant throughout his writing that too much globalization, westernization and modernization in too quick a time is the reason for what was a newfound entrance into theocratic rule, and Muslim way of life. In this sense, globalization to the Middle East can sometimes do more in hurting the westernization and modernization movement than helping it, which can certainly be personified through what occurred in Iran in 1979.

            The inevitable tug of war that occurs between religious and cultural leaders and the liberal youth that stems from global exposure often times leads to violent resistance and genocidal tendencies. There is no doubt that countries like Libya, Syria and Egypt, which have been ravaged with Civil War, chemical weapons and violent resistance dealt with these problems because of the influence of westernization and globalization. People that are in power in these countries are usually older religious clerics that do not believe in democracy, western ideals or modernization. However, with this new generation, full of social media and communication, the younger populations are exposed to freedoms and democracy that they have never seen before. While this is usually a good thing, the violent repercussions that have sprung up because of it are terrifying and take on the look of genocide. To have globalization make a positive impact on traditional Middle Eastern society, it is important to make sure that it happens on its own time. It is inevitable that the new generation will be more inclined to embrace westernization and global change. Therefore, it is best to simply wait out the process, and slowly adapt certain aspects of western culture. It is not necessary to call for complete change, which has happened in the past. That is where globalization has failed for the Middle East in the past.

Foer, Franklin (2010). How Soccer Explains the World; An Unlikely Theory of Globalization. New York, New York; HarperCollins Publisher.

The Causes and Effects of Sports on Culture

          In his book How Soccer Explains the World, Frankilin Foer addresses how soccer impacts the world in areas ranging from A Gangster’s paradise to the overall hope of Islam. The area of his book that was most intriguing to me was his ideas on the culture wars in America and its relation to sports. As a whole the United States is not a nation of soccer enthusiasts. Outside of the interest of the sport during the World Cup, soccer is given very little attention. The game takes the backseat to sports like baseball and American football. This is an obvious fact, but it wasn’t until now that I realized it is a result of both socialization and the idea of American Exceptionalism.

            As kids we play sports to grow as individuals, to build social skills, to make friends, and to engage in recreational activities. Soccer in particular serves as a fun less competitive environment, which makes it such a popular sport for young children. However, Foer discusses how people play the sports that they do as a result of it being “the fashionable thing to do (Foer 236).” He discusses how he grew up in a family in which his family played baseball, but given the location of his upbringing soccer was the sport seen as popular. This led me to think about why individuals play the sports that they do or act the way that they do. To me, this question is answered by the socialization of an individual and the environment in which the person was raised. These external factors shape who we are and what interests us. Personally I am not an avid soccer fan, and I never played on an organized soccer team. The reason I found this important is because it allowed me to look deeper into why this was the case. I grew up playing football, baseball, and basketball because my older brother played them and so did all my friends. It was the fashionable thing to do as Foer stated. This goes along with his point that we tend to fall into groups and follow the societal norms, which in my eyes come from socialization early in life.

            Additionally, Foer discusses why Soccer is not as prevalent in the United States in terms of class and race, but his best point is displayed in his explanation of American Exceptionalism. Foer states that many believe the history and form of government in the U.S. allows us to play a unique role as a world power and that we should not submit to international laws and bodies (Foer 245). While this may be the case, I think this is seen as a negative and given a bad connotation; however, I believe that in some ways it is a positive. We are a nation rich in history and tradition, and as a U.S. citizen I am genuinely proud to be a part of it. Traditionally, the United States is a country of football and baseball, hence the claim of baseball being “America’s Pastime.” However, I do agree that it can be a negative in terms of globalization and culture wars. A prime example of this is Jim Rome, an ESPN commentator, bashing soccer and stating that he would never let his son play the sport. He even goes as far as saying that he “hates” soccer.  While saying soccer threatens the American way of life is a bit dramatic, I do believe the rich traditions found in historically American sports have played an integral role in shaping the culture of our nation. While many nations critique this mindset and American culture as a whole, it is a bit hypocritical.  He mentions American Exceptionalism, but does not address the idea of a potential European Exceptionalism. This idea exists in many areas including sports. Clearly baseball is viewed as America’s pastime, so why haven’t Europeans adopted this? It is because national pride and tradition are prevalent, making cultural change a slow and difficult process. No matter where you live, the majority of people will likely follow the norms and possess this national pride and love of tradition.

            Overall I found this argument of sports and culture to be one of great merit and extremely interesting. While my ideas do not completely match those in the book, I believe it brought up a lot of good points especially through the counterarguments provided for many of the arguments. Across the globe, people have a large amount of national pride and are socialized to accept the culture in which they are surrounded. Sports play a huge role in the development of culture, and Foer does a good job of recognizing this. 

Globalization and a Loss of Cultural Identity

Globalization is interconnectedness, interdependence, a meshing of cultures and identities, a loss of borders, and a flow of information. In an age and time period where we are depending more and more on each other for products and goods, globalization has changed the very manner in which we communicate and interact with other states. Although globalization has changed the world for the better, due to globalization, we have lost our identity in a cultural mesh.

In his book How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization, Franklin Foer uses the game of soccer to explain globalization and its effect; in particular, its failures. One of the failures is the loss of identity in society. He writes that Jewish people were once weak people that did not have athletic abilities. However, in the push for soccer, Jews were encouraged to go to the gym and become stronger (Foer, 2010). Foer uses the term assimilation to reveal that the Jews have, in one sense, forfeited their identity in order to be great soccer players (Foer, 2010). They have lost their race and identity as the world determines how they will live in it. He writes that as the team Hakoah began winning matches, the “period of Jewish inferiority in physical activities had come to an end” (Foer, 2010). It is evident that in joining the global sports family, the Jews began losing their identity that they once embraced in an attempt to be accepted by others. They began seeking after what methods to be recognized by the global community.

Although globalization has brought countries together, it has removed cultural diversity in our society. For instance, consider India. In more recent years, America has been the driving force for westernization throughout the world, changing and impacting the Indian culture. The increase in fast foods, such as McDonalds and Popeye’s, has reached as far as India, revealing a spread of diversity. In one sense, the spread of fast foods has removed an importance towards traditional foods (Deepa, 2014). In response, most Indians are likely to eat out rather than make traditional food at home, revealing a loss in cultural identity.

Furthermore, although globalization is one reason why India has grown politically and economically, it has caused India to lose its culture as well. Many years ago, Indians practiced the caste system and wore traditional clothing. Through globalization, these cultural practices are being lost. Although I am not supportive of the caste system, globalization has made it disappear. The emphasis of a classless society has encouraged Indians to abolish the caste system, thereby removing a very crucial component in the Hindu tradition (Sundaram, 2014). There has also been an increase in Western clothing, such as jeans. The loss of cultural identity and the need to express it in clothing reveals that India is losing its cultural identity by adopting practices of the West. Westernization is modifying the culture of the East, thereby making its culture disappear over time within the country and among the people.

Globalization has brought positive and negative change to the world. Although it has brought interdependence and communication across border, it has sacrificed the cultural identity and diversity of many groups of people. We should learn how to adapt to such changes. We should not be like Iran who refuses to accept the traditions of the West because it corrupts their culture. Neither should we be like India who has adopted these changes while sacrificing their own culture. Rather, as we progress, we should learn how to balance the spread of cultures while maintaining our own culture.

Work Cited

Foer, Franklin (2010).  How soccer explains the world: An unlikely theory of globalization. New York, New York; HarperCollins Publisher.

Kaushik, Deepa (2014). Globalization and its impact on Indian culture. CareerRide.com. Retrieved from http://careerride.com/view.aspx?id=15301.

Sundaram, V. (2014). Impact of globalization on Indian culture. Boloji. Retrieved from http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=2458.