By Jorge Torres
Franklin Foer, editor of the New Republic discussed his book ?How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization? on Wednesday at the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies Book of the Semester lecture.
The book was chosen because of its worldwide readership and important theme of globalization.
Foer began the lecture by discussing the genesis of the book. He said his interest in soccer began when he was a kid growing up in Washington, D.C. His parents would drive hours to the suburbs so he could play soccer. He confessed that even though he was not the best soccer player, he appreciated the game and was fascinated by it. Foer said he admired the unmatched passion for soccer outside the United States.
Foer recalls one day as he was watching international soccer on Fox Sports, he was struck by the fact that glob-alization in soccer existed. He said there are two important forces that have made soccer a victim of globaliza-tion: the exportation of players and the rise of multinational brands. He explained his theory by using examples of African and South American players being sold to premier European League clubs and how teams like Man-chester United and Real Madrid market themselves all over the world to promote clothing and to boost the popularity of their club.
The book explains how the soccer phenomenon takes place outside of the United States.
?Soccer explains the way people think about themselves,? Foer said. ?Soccer clubs represent their community.?
Foer said globalization clearly makes our lives better and in the long run it makes us more tolerant. He said tribalism is more persistent than a couple decades ago as more players are sold to European clubs.
The author said every country has its own style of play. He said when clubs have so many multinational play-ers, the style of play becomes very homogenous.
?When change happens, it makes people cling to their traditions, customs and own soccer clubs,? Foer said.
Foer?s writing has also appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic Monthly, Foreign Policy and Spin. He lives in Washington, D.C.