Hooliganism across cultures and nations

Hooliganism across cultures and nations Abstract Football disorder has ruled football fields for decades. Therefore, hooligans constitute the main problem in modern football. Recently, many clashes linked with nationalism, racism, and discrimination, have risen in all parts of the world. While it was known identity was a cause of hooliganism, this paper analyzes how the desire to represent a particular club or nation causes violence among football fans (hooliganism), more precisly why does it lead to discriminatory acts. Six scholarly and non-scholarly articles have been described and compared to find out the possible causes of such behaviours. Impule in emotions and the social phenomenon of following the group, lead by identity, accentuate the causes of discrimination. It results in large discriminatory acts commited by particular racist hooligan groups. Hooliganism across Cultures and Nations Introduction This paper will focus on how identify influences violence in football games. Over the course of the last half-century, violence among football fans has risen to a point of no control, and it has lead many researchers (Canon 2008) and (Gow and Rookwood 2008) to question the causes of disruptions on football stands. The definition of a hooligan is not widely accepted. Some give it a positive connotation while others describe it in a negative way. Some of the proposed definitions of a hooligan are: one who actively participates in the living experience of football by engaging emotionally and positively in the success of their football club (Canon 2008), one who is strongly engaged in nationalism (Mota 2009), or the violent behaviour of a football spectator (Gow and Rookwood 2008). Yet, this topic is vastly debated. Experts argue whether or not hooligans still have their place in modern football. While statistics show the number of arrests due to rioting have risen on football stadiums i n England (Chula 2009) and in the Netherlands (Spaaij 2007), ordinary fans are getting increasingly afraid of attending games of their beloved club (Spaaij 2007), security being the social nature of this problem. Furthermore, the threat must be massive since football is consiered as a religion for 60% of european fans (Canon 2008). In other cases, lead by strong emotions based on their identity, hooligans have engaged in atrocities that lead to many casualties in Italy, England, and other parts of the world (Gow and Rookwood 2008). While it is known that there are many causes for hooliganism, such as the media, the police, personal reasons, the desire to represent, social causes and revenge, identity, and dissatisfaction (Gow and Rookwood 2008), the identity to a club or nation has caused many clashes based on nationalism, racism, and discrimination, (Football Against Racism in Europe n.d.) and (Spaaij Vià ±as, 2005). Thus, this essay will analyze how the desire to represent a particular club or nation causes violence among football fans (hooliganism), more precisly why does it lead to discriminatory acts. Therefore, seven scholarly and non-scholarly articles will be compared based on their explanations of why is football so important to average europeans and how does it lead to an impulse of emotions which causes riots and social unrests at football games. Body Text What is hooliganism?: The paragraph will focus on the description of hooliganism, it will suggest definitions, explain the causes of this phenomenon, and it will list examples of violence that has occurred in modern era football. Multiple definitions: There are many definitions for hooliganism and it has not been widely agreed on which represents it the most. Hooligan point of view: One who actively participates in the living experience of football by engaging emotionally and positively in the success of their football club. (Canon, 2007, p. 4) External point of view: A specific form of spectator violence at football matches. (Spaiij, 2007, p. 330) One who is strongely engaged in nationalism. (Mota, 2009, p.4) The violent behaviour of a football spectator. (Gow and Rookwood, 2008, p. 71) Causes: According to Gow and Rookwood (2008), hooliganism is a diverse phenomenon that is not mono-casual (p. 71). Media, police, personal reasons, desire to represent (nationalism and identity), superiority and revenge, and dissatisfaction. Involvment in football hooliganism has bee explained in relation to a number of factors, relating to interaction, identity, legitimacy, and power. (Gow and Rookwood, 2008, pp. 75-79) Hooligan experience: buzz of excitement (Spaiij, 2007, p. 330) Examples of violence Large public brawls outside of stadiums. (Chula, 2009) Clashes between rival hooligan groups at football games. (Gow and Rookwood, 2008, p. 78) Inter-group alliances and wars (Spaiij, 2007, p. 324) Identity: This paragraph will focus on one of the causes of hooliganis: identity. It will explain why it is occuring, how it affects football fans, and how it leads to a popular phenomenon of following the group, and how it leads to discrimination. The involvement in hooliganism leads a normal person to commit acts that he would have never done under normal circumstances. Need of belonging: Identity is characterized by the need to belong to a club or national team. (Gow and Rookwood, 2008, p. 76) It is a way for those who feel unimportant and marginalised to express their identity. (Gow and Rookwood, 2008, p. 78) Strong emotions: Accounts of hooligans reveal how they experience an overpowering buzz or adrenalin rush when confronting their opponents. (Spaiij, 2007, p. 330) Phenomenon of following the group: Their desire to [†¦] conform to group norms of behaviour may lead them to use serious violence against groups or individuals. (Spaiij and Vià ±as, 2005, p. 160) Discrimination in football: The paragraph will discuss the types of discrimination and its causes. Also, it will analyze the ways organizations are trying to fight it. Types of discrimination Homophobia, Racism, Exclusion of minorities. (Football Against Racism in Europe n.d.) Causes Cultural racism: This cultural racism revolves around the construction and defense of an image of national culture in the face of the emergence and expansion of immigrant communities. (Spaiij and Vià ±as, 2005, p. 160) Some cultures define some things as right or wrong. Homosexuality is defined as wrong in many countries across Easter and Southern Europe. (Football Against Racism in Europe n.d.) Nationalism: When Croatia played Bosnia Herzegovina in Sarajevo, Croatian fans formed a human U symbol representing the fascist Ustase movement responsible for mass killings of Serbs, Jews and the Roma during World War II. (Football Against Racism in Europe n.d.) Such events happen in countries where national identity is largely present. What is done to stop discrimination Non-governmantal organizations such as NGO (Spaiij and Vià ±as, 2005, p. 160) and FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe n.d.), trying to reduce xenophobia. Hooliganism is a social phenomenon, largely portayed as being negative, that is not mon-casual. (Gow and Rookwood, 2008, p. 71) Multiple causes affect hooliganism (Gow and Rookwood, 2008, p. 78), but identity and the need to represent lead to serious manifestations as discrimination and violence. As one engages in a large group of fans, he experiences strong emotions and adrenaline boosts (Spaiij, 2007, p. 330) leading to the phenomenon of following the group (Spaiij and Vià ±as, 2005, p. 160). A person may, under those circumstances, do somethings that he would not do in real life setting. Homophobia, racism, and exclusion of minorities are some of the types of discrimination. (Football Against Racism in Europe n.d.) Cultural racism (Spaiij and Vià ±as, 2005, p. 160) and nationalism (Football Against Racism in Europe n.d.) are labeled as the main causes of discrimination, accentuated by the phenomenon of followers. This essay responded to the problem statement, and explained how the desire to represent causes violence, particularly discrimination. The internal validity of most of my srouces is not easily verifiable because they are descriptive researchs based on data and results of other researchers. Only two researchs include some quantitative and qualitative data. Gow and Rookwood use a small sample of twenty supporters, while Canon uses a larger sample of 2,000 survey respondants and a smaller sample of interviewed supporters. Sampling methods were not random in both cases. The external validity is good for most of the sources because we can generalize results to certain countries or to the entire European continent. The internal validity of my essay is good because I used a good methodology of literature review of my articles. But, since I analyzed only 7 sources, the external validity is not very high; I cannot generalize my results. But, my sources were good and were written by experts or organizations specialized in my domain of analysis. Thus, I can say the data and information used in my sources is appropriate. I believe my study to be a good analysis of the situation of hooliganism in Europe. Still, my study lacks numbers and data to prove what I say, since I analyzed other works. I cannot affirmate a certain cause effect pattern. Works Cited Canon. Football Passions. The Social Issues Research Centre. 2008. http://www.sirc.org/football/football_passions.pdf (accessed August 25, 2009). The study was commissioned and realized by Canon, a well-known company, wanting to accomplish extensive sociological research on capturing the emotions of being a football fan. The names of the researchers are not indicated, thus, we cannot question the credentials of the authors; it will remain unknown and unestablished. But, the research was done by the Social Issues Research Center, which is a leading research group in the United Kingdom. The purpose of the study, as mentioned, was to capture the emotions of being a football fan and to compare the feelings, expressions, and behaviours of fans associated with support of their football teams. The major aspect of the study was that it should capture the experiences of every-day football fans and that it should provide their opinions on the problems of hooliganism. The sampling methods used for the study were interviews and online surveys. In the first case, fieldwork was conducted in eighteen countries. Online surveys (m=2,000) were took across all countries of Europe. There were no hypothesis, nor variables since the objective was to analyze various behaviours, and then to find a conclusion about the different aspects of hooliganism. The internal validity is good since the sampling was large, but it was not perfect since it was not done randomly. The study can be generalized to Europe and we can thus say the external validity is very good. As for the results and the conclusion, the research reveals a largely positive side to hooliganism. It also explains the rituals of football fans and the passion created by the fans. It is a largely descriptive research. I believe the study is biased because it only shows the hooligans point of view, which is unreal in the current atmosphere of modern football. Some results and statistics are good, but some should be analyzed carefully because they could be biased and unreliable. Chula, Jesse. Hooliganism: Did It Ever Go Away? Who Foots The Bill? September 6, 2009. http://www.epltalk.com/hooliganism-did-it-ever-go-away-who-foots-the-bill/10832 (accessed September 6, 2009). Football Against Racism in Europe. Racism in Football. http://www.farenet.org/default.asp?intPageID=40 (accessed September 7, 2009). The URL gives me an appropriate idea that this is a specialized website in my domain because of the acronym F.A.R.E. (meaning Football against Racism in Europe) and of the ending .org, suggesting it is an organization. The page is written by a group of authors whose expertise is in racism, homophobia, and exclusion of minorities. The website is updated regularly (at least monthly, but most of the times weekly) announcing action plans against discrimination. Some of the information was written about a year ago, while there is a lot of fresh stuff. The topic area is discrimination. While there are little or no references, information seems reliable because the organization seems to have its own well-established database. Thus, it seems the website has overall great integrity and reliability. The website does not use a scientific method for referencing and citing. The target audience of the website are football fans, and its function is to demonstrate that racism is present in modern fo otball, and how it should be stopped. The website is largely sponsored by the UEFA and FIFA football bodies, which want to stop discrimination on football fields. While there is only one point of view, there is no feeling of bias on the website; it can only be understood that they are showing the real facts. This page cannot be considered as ironic because it is a serious organization, well-known around the world. It is possible to contact the ten experts that have designed and created the website via telephone, fax, or e-mail. Gow, Paul, and Joel Rookwood. Doing it for the team-examining the causes of hooliganism in English football. Journal of Qualitative Research in Sports Studies, 2008: 71-82. The study is conducted by Paul Gow and Joel Rookwood. They are experts and have realized their research in the Sports Studies Department of Liverpools Hope University, where they are probably teachers. In the research, it is argued that hooliganism is a diverse phenomenon that is not mono-casual. Therefore, it is an argumentative essay. The main intention is to find causes for hooliganism in modern era football. The research was conducted by developing a fan-based perspective on the causes of hooliganism. Interviews and study-groups were conducted with twenty fans from five English clubs in the 2006-2007 season. The clubs selected were representative of geography, league position, success achieved, fan base, and exposure to European competition. Interviewed fans offered their perspectives on many personal factors explaining hooliganism. We dont know if the study was conducted randomly. The internal validity is not good since the sample size is relatively small (m=20). But, since it i s a case study, it would have been difficult to have a larger sample size. The results show that there are six causes for hooliganism: the influence of media, the influence of police, personal reasons, desire to represent or to have an identity, revenge and superiority, and dissatisfaction. Therefore, it is shown that hooliganism is a diverse phenomenon that is not mono-casual. The results cannot be generalized outside of England, because the socio-cultural environment is not the same in other areas of Europe where hooliganism is just as present. The research may be biased because it is done on fan-based opinion. Still, it is a source that analyzes in depth the causes of hooliganism and that offers the best theories about it. Mota, Miguel. Boys Will Be Hooligans: History and Masculine Communities in John Kings England Away. Critique, Spring 2009: 261-273. Spaaij, Ramà ³n. Football Hooliganism in the Netherlands: Patterns of Continuity and Change. Soccer Society, July 2007: 316-334. Spaaij, Ramà ³n, and Carles Vià ±as. A por ellos!: racism and anti-racism in Spanish football. International Journal of Iberian Studies, 2005: p141-164. The research was done by Ramà ³n Spaaji and Carles Vià ±as, experts in hooliganism and racism. Ramà ³n Spaaji had already written many scholarly articles on those topics. Spaaji is affiliated to the University of Amsterdam, where he is a trustable and respected source. Carles Vià ±as is affiliated to the University of Barcelona. The authors intention is to describe the neo-Nazi and racist phenomenons by fan groups across Spain. The two main questions posed by the authors are whether there is a hooligan/racist correlation, and whether there is a transformation in current sources of racism. The study is descriptive. The methodology used was to compare and analyze existing studies on the subject. The validity of the study cannot be verified because it is entirely based on independent studies, there is neither qualitative nor quantitative data measured by the authors. The conclusions found that racism is a widespread phenomenon in Spain of national identity, superiority, and prestige . The desire to conform to a group also leads to violence and discrimination. Still, a lot of hooligan groups try to dissociate themselves from racism and discrimination. The authors conclude three main points: the ultra movement is heterogeneous; racial abuse is not limited to hooligans; and racist discourses are variable and inconsistent. I believe the study to be extremely pertinent to my topic, because the study took place in Spain, believed to be one of the most discriminatory football environments in Europe.

Theoretical Benefits of No Child Left Behind Law Essays -- Government

Theoretical Benefits of No Child Left Behind Law President Bush signed the No Child Left Behind bill in January of 2002 calling for the country to change the mode of production of children through the educational system. With any major change in any large institution of society, there are going to be advantages and disadvantages. It is important in judging any change by looking at the overall good and bad that is taking place from the change. So as No Child Left Behind is reviewed, it is important to take a look at the motives and ideals placed within the legislation, but to also consider the drawbacks. Title I, Part A, headlined "Closing the Achievement Gap for Disadvantaged Students," shows that America has am emphasis on true democratic ideals. There is an obvious oppression that is keeping all students in America from having the same starting point, which inhibits America acting as a true free market society. Some children are destined to failure due to where they get their education. President Bush and his advisors show that this is their main focus on NCLB in a few different ways. The first can be seen by it being the focus of Part A of the Title I (Bush, 2002). The second can be seen by how they have made it mandatory for states to develop a "system of sanctions and rewards to hold districts and schools accountable for improving academic achievement" (Bush 2002). Another way the Bush administration makes it clear that schools need to focus their efforts on reducing the achievement gap is by the provision in Title I where students in failing schools must be offered public scho ol choice, while disadvantaged students will be offered assistance in making a switch from a failing school (Bush 2002). This emphasis on clos... ...rom <a href="http://nochildleft.com/2003/">http://nochildleft.com/2003/</a> may03dictating.html McKenzie, J. (2003, April). Do As We Say Not as We Do: The Great Gamble on Teacher Quality. NoChildLeft, Volume I, Number 4. Retrieved April 14, 2004, from <a href="http://nochildleft.com/2003/apr03do.html">http://nochildleft.com/2003/apr03do.html</a> Wrightslaw.com. (2002). No Child Left Behind. The Facts About...State Improvement Lists. Retrieved April 14, 2004, from <a href="http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/">http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/</a> nclb.facts.state.lists.htm www.Fairtest.org, (May, 2003). Why "No Child Left Behind" Will Fail Our Children. NoChildleft, Volume I, Number 5. Retrieved April 14, 2004, from <a href="http://nochildleft.com/2003/may03fairtest.html">http://nochildleft.com/2003/may03fairtest.html</a>

Nike Marketing Report Essay

The purpose of this report is to use concepts, models and theories to critically assess and evaluate Nike’s digital marketing activities. Within the report models such as the Marketing Mix and Assofs Matrix are used to demonstrate the importance of Nike’s digital campaigns and evaluate their validity. The report begins with an introduction to Nike as a company; this is a brief history into how the company was conceived. After this we explore different  product ranges Nike have to offer and their share within the sporting goods market. I go on to discuss how â€Å"Nike create anâ€Å"ecosystem† of digital services that complement its product range and encourage consumers to connect with the brand daily†(Olander, S., 2012). I continue to use evidence to support the importance of digital based marketing at Nike. I demonstrate the way in which they target their specific markets using social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. My conclusion focuses on the flaws and achievements of the companies digital marketing efforts. Nike is a company that has an impeccable record when it comes to marketing and its reflected within the examples I present throughout. Using Assofs matrix model I assess what Nike will have to do to remain dominant within its market. These include: – Diversifying into emerging foreign markets such as Chine and India. – Utilizing relationship marketing more effectively with marketing campaigns segmented to the consumers individually. – Market development within its pre-established markets – Product development to keep up with current digital trends Introduction to Nike As smaller companies are fading away and large multinationals are flourishing its hard to think of them having any similarities. One company that boasts of being that largest sportswear company in the world, started out with humble beginnings. I have chosen to analyze Nike due in part to their large online presence, which continues to grow and adapt to their ever-changing environment. The way in which we consume information has drastically changed in the last 20 years causing companies to rethink their marketing strategies. I believe that Nikes success as a company is due in part to its effective use of marketing to create a strong brand image and its adaptability when faced with a digital revolution within the global markets. Track athlete Philip Knight and his coach, Bill Bowerman created Nike in 1964. Originally called Blue Ribbon Sports, the company started as an American distributer of footwear made by Onitsuka Tiger, a Japanese shoe maker that would later go on to found the sportswear company ASICS. Originally Blue Ribbon Sports conducted their business out of the back of Phillip Knight’s car after training. Knight’s and Bowerman’s business grew and 2 years after they had first created their brand they had opened their first store in California. This is when they adopted the name Nike, inspired by the ancient Greek goddess of victory. This was the time they would also start using the iconic image of the â€Å"swoosh†. After this point their business started to expand rapidly. It did so by â€Å" Pursuing different advertising strategies in its various markets, while at the same time striving to communicate an identical brand identity worldwide† (Von Borries, 2004, p19) . In 1988 Dan Wieden of the Wieden and Kennedy advertising agency coined one of the most famous advertising slogans of all time. The Iconic â€Å"just do it†. The slogan has been chosen as one of the most iconic slogans of the 20th century by Advertising Age magazine. (Nike: History and Heritage , 2012). Financially Nike has seen a massive growth from its humble beginnings of selling products from the trunk of a car to having revenue of $24.148 billion and a income of $ 3.040 billion in 2012 (United States Securities and Exchange Commission, 2011) Nike has been extremely effective at expanding beyond its domestic market of the United States to become a global brand that boasts 44,000 employees worldwide. When it comes to the products produced by Nike it is clear that they have diversified slowly over the years to produce an extremely broad range of sporting goods. Their range of products includes shoes, team kits, clothing and base layers to name a few. As a company they also produce goods for an array of sports including, ice hockey, track and field, tennis, football, lacrosse, baseball, basketball, and cricket. Like any other sporting goods companies they face many  competitors within the market. These include Adidas, Reebok, Fila, Puma, New Balance, Asics, and Skechers though Nike is the largest company within the group. Adidas is its closest competitor with a 16 % market share compared to 31% help by Nike. Not only is Nike the leader within its market but it also has the most creative marketing campaigns, which I believe to be the key contributor to its international success. Though they have faced controversy over the years with accusations of poor working conditions and low pay for staff they have managed to continue their dominance within the market. They are a true testament to what branding and marketing can achieve within a retail company.

Way to Gain Ultimate Success - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 934 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2017/09/22 Category Advertising Essay Type Narrative essay Tags: Success Essay Did you like this example? Personal Redemption: A Way to Attain Ultimate Success Personal redemption is very hard to achieve, both mentally and physically. Amir’s search for redemption in his fathers eyes for the death of his mother and his remorse for Hassan’s rape results to his seek for redemption. Similarly, Thao’s quest for redemption is commenced by his gratitude toward Walt, as well as his remorse for trying to steal the Gran Torino. The quest for self redemption is a very hard and extensive procedure, not only mentally but also physically. In the cases of Amir in The Kite Runner and Thao Vang Lor from Gran Torino, redemption is extremely hard to attain. In many religious scriptures, redemption is mentioned repeatedly. Especially in the Quran, the book of the Muslims, redemption is described as an everlasting occurrence. In the Kite Runner, Amir feels responsible for the death of his mother. He believes that he owes his father something for being the cause of his great wi fe’s death. Baba says, â€Å"When you kill a man, you steal a life. You steal his wife’s right to a husband; rob his children of a father† (Hosseini, 19). This shows the rigidity of his father when it comes to death. Allah says in the Quran, â€Å"Of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil† (Quran 4:18). The explanation of this can be that one who repents; who seeks redemption and continues to do evil is not forgiven. This shows that forgiveness is not easy to achieve, especially in Amir’s case. In closing, one can seek redemption but that path is a very long and narrow pathway. In the movie, Gran Torino, Thao gives in to the peer pressure of the neighbourhood gang members and he attempts to steal Walt Kowalski’s most prized possession, his car. Theft is mentioned in one of the Ten Commandments revealed to Moses. It states, â€Å"Thou shall not steal†. Stealing another person’s possession is one of the greatest and it is not easily forgiven sins. This makes Thao’s search for redemption a difficult one. In an authentic saying from the Prophet Muhammad (p. b. u. h), the punishment for a thief is very harsh. He (p. b. u. h) says, â€Å"The hand should be cut off for a quarter of a Dinar or more† (Al Bukhari). This shows that to pursue forgiveness and redemption from theft is extremely difficult. In conclusion, for one to redeem themselves from theft, he or she must have a lot of debt to pay. Amir continued to do evil by not aiding his friend at the time he needed him most. He failed Hassan which led to another search for redemption, this time one surrounding Hassan. Religion made it easier for him to seek forgiveness. His friendship was very worthy to him, which made him stay true toward the path of redemption. As a way to help him in his search for redemption, Amir grows closer to God. Mary Fulkerson says, â€Å"This quest is not an easy one. The one who is po werful can only ask for help from God† (Fulkerson, 29). This shows that even though this quest is difficult, only God can make it easier. Amir and Hassan’s friendship is of very high status to him. CD Mohatta says, â€Å"Friendship is a gift of God. Some of us are blessed with good friends. But as it happens, these friendships are taken for granted in some cases and not valued† (Mohatta, Par 1). This shows that friendship should be valued and one should not take this for granted like Amir has. Redemption in this circumstance should not be taken lightly. In ending, the status of their friendship aids him in the hunt for redemption. However, none of this would be possible without the help of God. Gratitude is defined as the feeling of being grateful or thankful. In Gran Torino, Mr. Kowalski helps Thao’s family from gang violence. He saves Thao’s sister from being murdered. Thao owes Walt extreme gratitude. This type of gratefulness leads to forg iveness which in the long run leads to self-redemption. Micheal Perman says, â€Å"The road to redemption should not be taken lightly. Many qualities are needed before one is completely satisfied. Gratitude, compassion and joy are needed in this path. Gratefulness should be an instinct when seeking forgiveness† (Perman, 5). This explains that being grateful is the first secret to achieving success on the road to redemption. Gratitude is also a way to cleanse the heart of all evil. Redemption comes along with this. Allah (s. w. t) says in the Quran, â€Å"And whoever is grateful – his gratitude is only for himself. And whoever is ungrateful – then indeed my Lord is free of need and Generous† (Quran 27:40). This shows that God will test the people to see who will practice gratitude and who will not. In closing, gratitude will help Thao and Amir in their search for redemption. It will make them feel grateful for what they have which will increase their desire to pursue redemption. In the path for liberation, many things need to be considered. There are many methods to increase a person’s success in the road to redemption. In The Kite Runner, Amir has many things to be grateful for but he also has many things to seek forgiveness from. His search ended in happiness but only with much difficulty. Similarly, Thao Vang Lor has faced many obstacles in this path. This is what redemption is all about. The obstacles, barriers and difficulties make it harder but they also make it worthwhile. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Way to Gain Ultimate Success" essay for you Create order