SPORT & SOCIETY

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPORT AND POLITICS IN ITALY

EMILY BARSTOW & JACK CASTELLI

INTRO In Italy, sport is a conduit through which the core

issues of society can be viewed. Specifically, the popularity of sport in the nation make it a prime candidate as a tool for the manipulation of people. Because sport/competition is naturally divisive, in a culturally-divided nation like Italy, its effects are further magnified.

“Equally, it would be illogical to ignore how sport has spotlighted the fissures in the national character and nation-state but, even so, this still represents real rather than imagined Italy, where difference and diversity are pillars of the nation.” (Martin, 252)

INTRO Sport is applicable to a variety of groups of

people in society. Sports in Italy reflect the underlying issues of

politics in the nation It is easy for certain institutions/politicians to

express their outside ideas and biases with sport and acquire support

Often, sport is the subject of political manipulation, with both positive and negative results, depending on the point of view

PHYSICAL FITNESS Culture of physical prowess since antiquity The train of thought: if the individual is fit, and

competitively sound, their unification will be fit and sound as well

Turin Gymnastics Society: originally open to all members of society, the aim was to increase the physical abilities of Italians in order to create a more viable military

Introduced by King Carlo Alberto as a “pre-military model” for the creation of the “citizen soldier”

CATHOLIC SPORT Catholics were generally pro-sport during liberal

Italy because they thought it was patriotic and moral and prepared citizens for combat

ORATORIA- attempted to lure children to mass by promoting soccer. This exemplified politicization because the Catholic church utilized the popularity of sport to garner support.

If the promotion of the DC party and their values is viewed as beneficial for society, then this politicization is positive

SOCIALISTS VS. CATHOLICS Politicization of sport due to the

underlying issue between Catholic and Socialist groups

Socialists generally against sports Thought that sport was too distracting

from the problems of society Red Cyclists – used bicycle as propaganda

for Socialist ideals, mobilize mass support, encouraged to ride Avanti bicycles

CYCLING Positive aspects The use of the bicycle brought more mobility to

people and this helped to integrate the diversity of Italy

Touring Club Italia – private club brought a form of unity to Italy by promoting cycling. It created uniform maps of the nation and promoted better infrastructure

Giro D’italia- can be viewed as a positive in the sense that it eventually led to national, unified support for Italian riders versus foreign competitors

CYCLING Negative aspects Politicization of sport media – La

Gazzetta created the Giro D’italia for readership

Stimulated debate and over-highlighted political differences in Coppi/Bartali rivalry

FASCISM Balilla – “citizen soldier” Mussolini – manipulation of sport and

sporting achievements Widespread to all members of society

to attain maximum support, team mentality attempted to unify people

Primo Carnera Football world cup victory

AN ESCAPE? Umberto Eco – the armed struggle and

World Cup Sunday Eco is saying that sport (football) is an

escape from political problems But is sport a separate escape? Or is it

a field of play for differing political views?

Sport debate substitute for political debate

ULTRAS “Italians lose wars as if they were

football matches and play football matches as if they were wars” (Winston Churchill)

Fan rivalries = political/ideological rivalries

Cultural/regional differences Most teams had their own ultra groups Forza Nuova – mobilized by extreme

right

BERLUSCONI “Berlusconi used his television network

and AC Milan to completely footballize the language of politics” (Martin 212

Combination of media and sport – politicization

Used sport to appeal to masses of society that increasingly valued athletics on the public