THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPORT AND POLITICS IN ITALY

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SPORT AND POLITICS IN ITALY EMILY BARSTOW & JACK CASTELLI SPORT & SOCIETY

INTRO In Italy, sport is a conduit through which the core issues of society can be viewed. Specifically, the popularity of sport in the nation make it a prime candidate as a tool for the manipulation of people. Because sport/competition is naturally divisive, in a culturally-divided nation like Italy, its effects are further magnified. � “Equally, it would be illogical to ignore how sport has spotlighted the fissures in the national character and nation-state but, even so, this still represents real rather than imagined Italy, where difference and diversity are pillars of the nation. ” (Martin, 252) �

INTRO � Sport is applicable to a variety of groups of people in society. � Sports in Italy reflect the underlying issues of politics in the nation � It is easy for certain institutions/politicians to express their outside ideas and biases with sport and acquire support � Often, sport is the subject of political manipulation, with both positive and negative results, depending on the point of view

PHYSICAL FITNESS � Culture of physical prowess since antiquity � The train of thought: if the individual is fit, and competitively sound, their unification will be fit and sound as well � Turin Gymnastics Society: originally open to all members of society, the aim was to increase the physical abilities of Italians in order to create a more viable military � Introduced by King Carlo Alberto as a “premilitary model” for the creation of the “citizen soldier”

CATHOLIC SPORT � Catholics were generally pro-sport during liberal Italy because they thought it was patriotic and moral and prepared citizens for combat � ORATORIA- attempted to lure children to mass by promoting soccer. This exemplified politicization because the Catholic church utilized the popularity of sport to garner support. � If the promotion of the DC party and their values is viewed as beneficial for society, then this politicization is positive

SOCIALISTS VS. CATHOLICS � Politicization of sport due to the underlying issue between Catholic and Socialist groups � Socialists generally against sports � Thought that sport was too distracting from the problems of society � Red Cyclists – used bicycle as propaganda for Socialist ideals, mobilize mass support, encouraged to ride Avanti bicycles

CYCLING Positive aspects � The use of the bicycle brought more mobility to people and this helped to integrate the diversity of Italy � Touring Club Italia – private club brought a form of unity to Italy by promoting cycling. It created uniform maps of the nation and promoted better infrastructure � Giro D’italia- can be viewed as a positive in the sense that it eventually led to national, unified support for Italian riders versus foreign competitors �

CYCLING � Negative aspects � Politicization of sport media – La Gazzetta created the Giro D’italia for readership � Stimulated debate and over-highlighted political differences in Coppi/Bartali rivalry

FASCISM � Balilla – “citizen soldier” � Mussolini – manipulation of sport and sporting achievements � Widespread to all members of society to attain maximum support, team mentality attempted to unify people � Primo Carnera � Football world cup victory

AN ESCAPE? � Umberto Eco – the armed struggle and World Cup Sunday � Eco is saying that sport (football) is an escape from political problems � But is sport a separate escape? Or is it a field of play for differing political views? � Sport debate substitute for political debate

ULTRAS � “Italians lose wars as if they were football matches and play football matches as if they were wars” (Winston Churchill) � Fan rivalries = political/ideological rivalries � Cultural/regional differences � Most teams had their own ultra groups � Forza Nuova – mobilized by extreme right

BERLUSCONI � “Berlusconi used his television network and AC Milan to completely footballize the language of politics” (Martin 212 � Combination of media and sport – politicization � Used sport to appeal to masses of society that increasingly valued athletics on the public