Africa’s place in the international football system

Why South Africa received the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Thèse de Master , 2007 , 156 Pages , Note: 70

Politique - Région: Afrique

For millions of people around the globe, football is an important part of everyday life. Similarly, many African governments have found in international football competitions one of the few opportunities to be internationally represented. Furthermore, through successful participation of their respective national football sides, they internally seek to foster nationhood. In fact, football is an integral part of African self-esteem with regards to being recognised by the rest of the world. However, to succeed in international sports means to succeed in a politico-economic structure far from equality and general solidarity. This thesis goes about the question why South Africa received the FIFA 2010 World Cup. Thereby it will distinguish the position of the African continent within the international football system.
A historical analysis will clarify the processes and actors as well as the driving motivations which led to the FIFA World Cup host decision in favour of the African continent. The outcome of this study suggests that social interaction is driven by the interplay of two variables: normative principles and economic practices. The historical development of modern social behaviour from the 16th century until today’s global capitalism surely reflects the interplay of these two traits.
At the hand of the historical development of the international football system this thesis is going to outline this interplay – as a European form of behaviour that came to encapsulate all social relations on the globe particularly by the spread of the cultural practice of football. This study reaches the overall conclusion that the decision to let an African nation host the FIFA World Cup meant that economic practice and normative principles were brought into perceived congruence.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Abstract
• Opsomming
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: The International Football System
• Chapter 3: The FIFA World Cup
• Chapter 4: The African Continent and the FIFA World Cup
• Chapter 5: The 2010 FIFA World Cup Bid
• Chapter 6: Conclusion
• Bibliography

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

This thesis examines the reasons behind South Africa's successful bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It aims to analyze the position of the African continent within the international football system and to understand how Africa overcame the stigma of backwardness to be chosen as a host nation. The thesis explores the interplay of normative principles and economic practices within the international football system, highlighting the historical development of this system and its impact on social relations.

• The role of the international football system in shaping global social interaction
• The historical development of the international football system and its connection to European cultural practices
• The interplay of normative principles and economic practices in the decision-making process of FIFA
• The significance of the 2010 FIFA World Cup bid for Africa and South Africa
• The symbolic and economic implications of the 2010 FIFA World Cup for Africa

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

Chapter 1 introduces the topic of the thesis, outlining the significance of the FIFA World Cup and the African continent's desire to host the event. It also highlights the importance of understanding the international football system and its impact on social relations.

Chapter 2 delves into the history and structure of the international football system, exploring its origins in Europe and its subsequent global expansion. It examines the interplay of normative principles and economic practices within the system, highlighting the role of FIFA as a governing body.

Chapter 3 focuses on the FIFA World Cup, its history, and its significance as a global sporting event. It analyzes the factors that influence the selection of host nations, including political, economic, and social considerations.

Chapter 4 examines the African continent's relationship with the FIFA World Cup, exploring the challenges and opportunities presented by the event. It discusses the continent's historical struggles to gain recognition and acceptance within the international football system.

Chapter 5 provides a detailed analysis of South Africa's bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, examining the strategies employed and the factors that contributed to its success. It highlights the role of political and economic considerations in the decision-making process.

Schlüsselwörter

The keywords and focus themes of the text include the international football system, FIFA World Cup, Africa, South Africa, normative principles, economic practices, social interaction, global capitalism, cultural practices, and the historical development of football.

• Université: Stellenbosch Universitiy
• Note: 70
• Auteur: Master of Arts International Studies Mark-Marcel Müller (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2007
• Pages: 156
• N° de catalogue: V115101
• ISBN (ebook): 9783640159093
• ISBN (Livre): 9783640159987
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: Football, South Africa, Africa, World-Systems Theory, Soccer, FIFA World Cup, Politics, Diplomacy, Power, Fußball, Südafrika, Afrika, Immanuel Wallerstein, Politik, FIFA Weltmeisterschaft, Diplomatie, International Studies, International Relations, Internationale Beziehungen, Welt-System Theorie, 2000, 2006, 2010, Gerhard Schröder, Danny Jordaan, Thabo Mbeki, Franz Beckenbauer