Sports in International Politics

Between Power and Peacebuilding

Timothy D. Sisk

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Hardback

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English

Rowman & Littlefield
15 March 2024

Peace studies & conflict resolution; International relations; Human rights; Civil rights & citizenship; Olympic games

Sport has historically been part of a broader quest of regimes for power and prestige on the world stage, and that success in global sport was a function of a country’s projection of hegemony and place in an anarchic international system. While such historical trends of politicization of sport continue—witness the nationalism on display at each Olympic games—today sport is equally seen as a strategically key approach for advancing human rights, building peace, strengthening social cohesion, and fostering development. In practical terms, international sport resides between a “realist” world of power and profit while at the same time has become an instrument of liberal internationalism that sees the advancement of individual values of rights, gender equality, and empowerment of often marginalized groups such as indigenous peoples, traumatized war victims, and those with disabilities.

How does international politics affect the world of global sport, and, how -- if at all – can sport contribute to the pursuit of sustainable peace? Sports in International Politics: Between Power and Peacebuilding explores the complex linkages between power politics of the international arena, the profit-seeking, often elitist and at-times corrupt world of professional international sport, and the promise for harnessing sport to promote human rights, inclusive development, and sustainable peace in a violent world.

Timothy D. Sisk presents the case that sport’s direct relationship to peace is found not in the fanfare of the Olympic Games (without reform), but in sport- and play-related contributions to humanitarian action, expanding the right to access sport and the rights of athletes of all ages and abilities, and in the well-designed employment of sport in youth-based development and peacebuilding programs and projects. Sport’s contribution to peace is found not principally in the nation-state ensnared Olympic Games, but instead step-by-step, from the bottom up through sport’s contribution to positive youth development, empathy and fairness, and through engendering trust and social cohesion at community and national levels.

By: Timothy D. Sisk
Imprint: Rowman & Littlefield
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 238mm, Width: 158mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 508g
ISBN: 9781538187104
ISBN 10: 1538187108
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 15 March 2024
Recommended Age: From 18 to 22 years
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

"Timothy D. Sisk is Professor of International and Comparative Politics at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver. His research, teaching and policy-oriented work focuses on conflict prevention, management, and peacebuilding in fragile and post-war contexts. He works with fellow scholars, international and regional organizations, and students on international peace and security concerns such as peacemaking, peacebuilding, and inclusive governance and democracy building. Prior to joining the University of Denver in 1998, Sisk served as a Program Officer and Research Scholar in the Grant Program of the United States Institute of Peace in Washington D.C., and earlier earned a doctoral degree in political science from The George Washington University and an MA in international journalism and BA in international studies and German from Baylor University. Having been ""raised on"" baseball, basketball, and football, he is an avid cyclist, skier, and all-around outdoor-sport enthusiast."

Reviews for Sports in International Politics: Between Power and Peacebuilding

Tim Sisk critically explores the complex relationships between sports, politics, and peace. He shows how the same drivers that boost social unity have been used to promote ideologies of hate. He finds, however, that with care, sport can be a powerful catalyst for peace. --Cedric De Coning, Research Professor, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) This is an extremely impressive analysis of the impact of sport on global politics. Timothy Sisk goes straight to the heart of the matter: power. The book lays bare the complexities and politicization of sport and punctures a number of myths about the healing power of sport. The book is highly recommended. --Roger Mac Ginty, Durham University Easily accessible and with deep insight, Sports in International Politics provides an exploration into key trends in the relationship between, on the one hand, sports and global politics, and, on the other hand, the 'every day' dimensions of sports in the nurturing of peace and tolerance. By offering the reader a conceptual tool box and mapping empirical trends it is essential reading for understanding the double-edged nature of sports in promoting peace and driving conflict, locally and internationally. --Kristine Höglund, Professor of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University In this insightful and comprehensive book, Professor Timothy Sisk explores the intricate connection between sport, power, and global governance, as well as peacebuilding within our ever-changing and turbulent global landscape. An essential resource for those seeking to understand the transformative potential of sport in promoting international peace and sustainable development. --Professor Fred Tanner, Ambassador (Ret.)