This is the fourth in a series of posts attempting to explain football through international relations theory; or international relations theory through football; or drawing tenuous links between both. The differences between Realist and Idealist international relations theory is rather misleadingly known as the first ‘Great Debate’. No actual ‘debate’ took place, and the Idealists…
Tag: International Relations
Against modern football? Blame liberal economics.
This is the third in a series of posts attempting to explain football through international relations theory; or international relations theory through football; or drawing tenuous links between both. Antonio Gramsci once wrote that football is the model of individualistic society. Within a game or a team there is a place for individual expression or…
Thucydides & the transfer window
This is the second in a series of posts attempting to explain football through international relations theory; or international relations theory through football; or drawing tenuous links between both. Why Arsenal will sell Fabregas, and why Manchester United signed Phil Jones. Thinking about Thucydides and the Melian Dialogue, the most (in)famous passage in his most…
Machiavelli & Mourinho
This is the first in a series of posts attempting to explain football through international relations theory; or international relations theory through football; or drawing tenuous links between both. Jorge Valdano may have left Real Madrid but Jose Mourinho will continue to provoke his employers and opponents, and succeed. I am not so convinced that…
In Sun and Shadow 