Marxism In Sport Analysis

The development of character plays a significant role in sport in today’s society. Character building is seen as acquiring skills and knowledge that could be presented later on in life or in a realistic situation. The purpose of this essay is to highlight the reasoning behind this preconceived notion, and apply the stimulus and how it may occur. Furthermore, the idea behind what a stereotypical norm is how it may be or may not be presented through different social aspects of sport. For example, social status can play a huge role in accomplishments of character and how the world should view an individual (Carrington & McDonald, 2008). The social theory of Marxism is an ideal aspect to take into today’s nature, due to the idea, that it is

generally built around an economic status. This creates that fine line between both, a public and professional sector. The discussion of this topic will be relevant to an everyday sporting event, from youth development to masters still in competition.

The significance in comparison will also highlight the more or less favoured sports. What is also expected of athletes in the New Zealand sporting world, also contributes to an International perspective. This is witnessed through the ideas of commercialism, political status and controlled integration.

Marxism is applied to the idea of character building in sport though socioeconomic status. It is also known as the conflict theory. This balance occurs through an ideological and artificial separation of political economy and sociological status. These ideas are democratically sanctioned through an election process, powered by corporate mass media that play a huge role in society (Klikauer, 2015). The political and commercial side of the theory is highly recognisable, as it is situated in the manipulation of

social status and how individuals should be perceived. The struggle of power is significant and controlled severely by social class where one dominates, and one is dominated (Klikauer, 2015). In the instance of sport, the Marxist theory is apparent based on the economic advances of sporting clubs and organisations that are being exploited by a higher power. A sporting club that is at a higher chance of winning, generally has a better income to provide top equipment, facilities and gear for the players and individuals involved. Therefore creating this cycle and impression, that if an individual belongs to a better club that is perceived as one of the best, it is considered that the individual is a winner. The indoctrination of money and competition shows the consequence of greed. Karen cites the idea of high-definition sports capitalism, reiterating the concept that shows the fine line between specific economic and cultural forces that raise various contradictions (Carrington & Mcdonald, 2008). Leading on from the conflict theory, it is to be noticed that the social class status holds a significant catalyst as to how the economy is operated in the promotion of social change. The conceptualisation appreciates the wide range of alternative determinants that affect the human condition (Bairner, 2007).
Marx saw his theory as a Capitalist approach to the operation of society, in this case sport is not witnessed as enjoyable or creative, but another means of work (Collins & Waddington, 2007). The operation in profit highlights the professional sector of sport that contributes to a negative view on society. Different aspects of this sector show the management, sponsorship and athlete side of it. The ideology behind managing the perfect athlete stems from what and whom is more likely to make the most money. The economic benefits signify success and superiority as capitalism has a firm grip on social and cultural life in the western society (Bairner, 2007). These ruling elites that govern in western societies, points to the very real possibility of resistance not only in relation to the politics of class but also within the context of race, gender and nationalism (Mouffe, 1979). In context of the professional sporting sector, the idea behind integration within class is seen as insignificant and is generally avoided, unless there is that possible loop hole that divides an individual from its socio-economic class through skillset and pure talent. A chance in making money off an individual that has the natural ability to adapt and be dominated by a higher power. Without realisation, athletes can become an easy money-making scheme that keeps the social class theory in order from a Marxist point of view (Klikauer, 2015). Thus creating a character buliding technique from a capitalist perspective, that uses athletes and sporting individuals as commodities.
Athletes in a Marxist sporting world are seen as commodities.

In today’s society, the professional world of sport shows players being sold and bought from different teams based on skills and popularity. For example, the football society over in Europe is based on players that make the most money and that can provide the management and sponsors more money as well acknowledgement. The revenue of a club depends not only on the number of stadium spectators in its local market, but also on broadcasting and commercial revenue like sponsorship, merchandizing and licensing (Kesenne, 2007). These individual players that are used as tools in this concept show the negative side and lose the true spirit of the sport and why individuals originally chose to participate. This commercialism reflects the Marxist view on keeping that power where one dominates another, in this case the athletes are governed and controlled by management and sponsors. Thus creating that outcome of pressure on a player to perform to high standards to fulfill the economic need and status to keep the revenue coming in. this negative

perception