Pre-Arrival Reading

Reading from: Globaloney: Unraveling the Myths of Globalization by Veseth, Michael (2005) (pdf file)
Reading from: How Soccer Explains the World, by Frankin Foer, 2004 (pdf file)

For Diplomats Only

Dear Fellows,

I’d like to introduce myself to you and to our class on “Globalization” during your stay at Wake Forest University. My name is Tom Brister, I’m an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at the University, and I’ve been interested in the topic of globalization for some time. I’ve had the good fortune to travel to a few of your home countries (though not so many) and I’m interested in exchanging information from your perspective. Giving some thought to these topics before you arrive will help us to make our sessions much more active and interesting.

I’d like to give you some short readings and some ideas to think about before you arrive. We’ll be exploring the vast topic of globalization through the lenses of what Americans call “soccer” – known to much of the world as futbol. The readings posted here are chapters from books about globalization; you’ll receive a copy of the popular book by Franklin Foer called How Soccer Explains the World when you arrive. Two of the readings here are from that book.

Think about the following:

*How would you define globalization? How does it appear from your country?
*Do you think that globalization = Americanization? How might your country be affecting America? Isn’t America also being “globalized”?
*In particular, do you mostly watch American films and listed to American music? Or can you introduce us to something different, from your or another country?
*What do people in your country think about American power in the world? (economically, politically, and culturally?)
*Do you think that globalization as it is happening now is a good thing? Is there anything negative about it? Could we do it differently?

*From the reading by Veseth:

How does the history of soccer mirror the rise of globalization?
What might FIFA versus the Super Clubs (like Chelsea) represent in the globalization debate?
Why do almost all the best soccer players from Brazil go to Europe? What does this tell us about the global economy?
If the United States is so powerful in the world, why is it the only country where soccer is not popular? Can you explain this puzzle?

*From the readings by Foer:

Why does he contrast Belgrade (Serbia) “Red Star” with “Barcelona”? (Spain)
How can we understand Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict through the lenses of soccer?
What’s been your experience with nationalism? Can you both embrace globalization and be nationalistic?
Finally: what’s your favorite club? What are your national team’s prospects in the UEFA Euro 2008?

I look forward to meeting all of you in July!