Research

Sports have always sparked the imagination of many people.  It has captured the hearts of entire cities, states, and even countries.  Just last July when the US national soccer team was playing in the world cup, I remember everyone was talking about it.  It is amazing what sports can do.  It brought a nation together and gave it a sense of national pride.

            For my research, I plan on investigating the role of politics on sports in Germany, as well as how it has played a role in building the modernity in Berlin.   We all know the Germany is famous for soccer and that is why it is going to be my main focus.  Every year, money is being poured into sports by the government and the general public.  People buy tickets to watch the games and the government has to build the stadiums to house the games.   As a result, sports (or soccer) have become a multi-billion dollar industry.  However, sports have broader implications that just on the economy.  I believe that sports are not just purely for entertainment.  It can have an effect on politics and vice versa.  It can be used to integrate a community; it can be used for nation building; and it can be used for youth socialization.   The government in a sense has a lot of ruling power in sports.  For example, sports are emphasized in schools through physical education and the government funds stadiums and athletic development for elite athletes. 

            Besides the political and economic aspects, I find that sports are an important fixture in culture.  Not only does it provide entertainment, it provides a social scene.  Soccer in Germany is huge and it would be interesting to study the cultural impact of sports in addition to the political implications.  I think it would be interesting to find out if soccer actually plays a role in culture and politics in Germany or if it’s strictly for entertainment purposes. 

Secondary Sources

Bairner, Alan. "The Cultural Politics of Remembrance: Sport, Place and Memory in Belfast and Berlin." International Journal of Cultural Policy. 14.4 (2008): 417-430. Print.

Schiller, Kay, and Christopher Young. The 1972 Munich Olympics and the Making of Modern Germany. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2010. Internet resource.

Wagner, Eric A. "Reviews -- More Than a Game: Sports and Politics by Martin Barry Vinokur." Contemporary Sociology. 18.4 (1989): 601-602. Print.