Nationalism
In Franklin Foer’s “How Soccer Explains the World: An
Unlikely Theory of Globalization,” there is a chapter where he talks a good
amount about nationalism and his favorite football club, FC Barcelona. In the chapter he explains that critics think
that the aspects of nationalism in the game will come to an end because of that
globalism that is occurring throughout Europe.
If you continue to read through the chapter, Foer says that Barcelona is
proving the critics wrong. He thinks
that the fans and followers of Barcelona can enjoy the game and think about hooliganism
but never actually commit acts of violence or hatred against their opposing
teams. He claims “Barca doesn’t just
redeem the game from its critics; it redeems the concept of nationalism.” Critics believe that nationalism is the root
or cause of violent acts and hooliganism, but Barca, as Foer calls it, proves
them wrong.
The difference between liberal and illiberal nationalism
if the difference in how you feel and act towards your opponents. Illiberals tend to have hate and ugliness towards
their opponents. On the other hand,
liberals have a sense of nationalism toward their team or country, but still do
not hate or wish to take control of you opponents.
When comparing nationalism to the Olympics, I like to
think that when I observe sporting events and other competitions within the
Olympics there is a sense of liberal nationalism. Every country has so much pride and respect
for their athletes. These athletes have
trained for almost all of their lives to get to this one competition. They have a very strong sense of nationalism
while watching their country’s athletes compete. There are always going to be winners and
losers. It is inevitable to not like the
person or country that is the reason why your country loses, but I do not see
feel like those people have feelings of hate or a desire to control the other
countries in the competition. I know
that when anyone from America loses to another country, I do not particularly
like that country at the time, but I also do not hate them. Most people realize that it is a game, and
the best competitor at that time will win and the others will fall into place
behind them.
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