To ensure society is maintained and works efficiently common sense and values such as democracy, equality, morals and opportunities are in place and together it ensures society is held in place. This collective conscience is then transmitted through large-scale units where all individuals in society have shared goals as well as social connections between the individuals are promoted (Coakley and Dunning, 2004).
According to Coakley (2001) the relationship between sport and society in a Marxist view
is never set once and for all, due to the changes of interests in the various groups of societies, as it based on shared values of existing conflicts and interests happening at the same time in society. Sport in society is created by the interaction of people to fit their needs and interests, which is more then the needs of the capitalist economy (Dunning 1999, Coakley, 2004).
The existence of sport in society is created by the interaction of people to fit their needs and interests, which is more then the needs of the capitalist economy (Dunning 1999, Coakley, 2004). In time the organisation will evaluate and reflect on how the society is but sport can be used as a way of protest and change. The ‘Kick racism out of football’ television advert from Nike shows this where icons in the footballing scene protest for the game and society.
It is obvious that within these two sociological perspectives problems occur. This is due to the Functionalist’s view of society being based on value consensus. The view implements that society is a unified system where all members of it agree to the same values and beliefs. It has not taken into consideration that the collective conscience will let some members feel constrained as it is assumed that the needs of the society will meet the needs of each individual (Horne, Tomlinson & Whannel, 1999)
Negative factors and aspects are not taken into account in the Functionalist perspective A weakness with this theory is that ‘it is based on the assumption that the needs of all groups within a society are the same as the needs of the society as a whole (Coakley, 2001).
Due to this it causes us to underestimate the existence of the differences and conflicts from the interests within a society. Also to ignore the case where sport benefits some groups more than other groups which limits understanding of the dynamics and conflicts in societies.
Marxism is dominantly based on economic factors. Coakley (2004) states money is assumed to be everything within society and social life. This in turn leads to assumptions that those owning the productive and therefore economic resources are given the power and use it to control those without to maintain their hegemony. Further factors that can form and shape society like gender, ethnicity, age, culture etc. are not taken into consideration and neglected.
Not only are there negative aspects to Marxism and Functionalism but positive beneficial aspects to them as well, especially when applied to sport. Marxism focuses on the distribution of power in sport. Sport is shaped by the economic system in the hands of the more powerful (Bourgeoisie) and does yet again promote the interest of those maintaining power and increasing capital (Jarvie, 2006). Besides manual labour, using sport in the correct way is another tool of exploiting the working class as sport is just another form of controlling the society through a form of popular entertainment respectively giving access to certain sports only to certain members (Scrambler, 2005).
Another issue within Marxism is commercialisation after identifying that turning leisure into a marketing product is just another form of financial exploitation.
Merchandising, ticket sales and sponsorship are a further source of making profit. Maguire and Young (2002) state that sport or event itself will not dominate, in fact media coverage will have a major influence on the organisation of an event and the broadcasting times will have to coincide so that it makes the most profit. Sky Sports have major control over how sport is broadcasted so many live events get changed due to this control. Sky purpose select times to suit their needs as they know that by doing this it will make more profit. Sport in this sense has become dependent upon the materialistic criteria, so the prices for broadcasting rights and player transfers have explosively increased and show again the influence of money in the sporting world (Coakley, 2001).
Even though Marxism is aware of inequalities resulting from money in sport, it does not recognise the other possibilities in sport for individuals such as creativeness and provision of challenging experiences (Creaven, 2000). On the other hand Functionalists have different meaning for sport. Generally sport is only one part of the Functionalists view in maintaining society as a whole. Functionalism attempts to strengthen a ‘social togetherness’ regardless of social borders. Sport has a socio-emotional function for members of the society, they will be able to build up friendship and social skills where by interacting with fellow colleagues (Dunning 1999).
As sport underlines traditional values such as competition, success etc, individuals can release energy and manage their tension and temper in a social acceptable way by taking part in it. Sport can prepare individuals to cope with social qualities like challenges, teaches basic values, norms and beliefs, which can be used in other social situations. (Coakley, 2004). Sport also has a function to society as it benefits individuals health.
In conclusion to both perspectives it can be said that Marxism ‘leads people to see sport as a reflection of the economic forces operating in society’ (Coakley, 2001 pg29). Marxism concentrate’s and stresses the parts of society that are not suitable according to them for example sports and instead concentrates on conflict caused mostly by money.
in contrast to Marxism, Functionalism concentrates on different parts of the society that fit together harmoniously (Haralambos and Holborn, 2000).
Obviously sport cannot be seen through the eye’s of both Marxist and Functionalist views but it could benefit if the views came together to try and solve the negative aspects for each of the perspectives. If both did come together a theory could form to describe the society today. This means that not one theory can explain what occurs in society as it is different from place to place. In addition Coakley (2001) states that theories are tools that provide us with the framework for asking questions, identifying problems, gathering information, explaining social life, prioritising strategies to deal with problems and anticipating the consequences of our actions and interventions. This indicates that they are still essential to society and helping to understand how we survive and interact with one another.
Reference List
Coakley, J. (2001) Sport in Society: Issues and controversies, London: McGraw Hill
Coakley, J. (2004) Sport in Society: Issues and Controversies 8th edition, London: McGraw Hill
Coakley, J. and Dunning, E. (2004) Handbook of Sports Studies, London: Sage
Creaven, S. (2000) Marxism and Realism: A Materialistic Application of Realism in the Social Sciences, London: Routledge
Dunning, E. (1999) Sport matters: Sociological studies of sport, violence and civilisation, London: Routledge
Dunning, E. Maguire, J. and Pearton, R. (1993) The Sport Process: A Comparative and Development Approach, Leeds: Human Kinetics Publishers
Giddens, A. (2001) Sociology 4th edition, Cambridge: Polity Press
Haralambos, M. and Holborn, M. (2000) Sociology Themes and Perspectives 5th edition, London: HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Horne, J. Tomlinson, A. and Whannel, G. (1999) Understanding Sport: An Introduction to the Sociological and Cultural Analysis of Sport, London: E & FN Spon
Jarvie, G. (2006) Sport, Culture and Society an Introduction, London: Routledge
Maguire, J. and Young, K. (2002) Theory, Sport and Society, London: Elsevier Science
Mashall
Scambler, G. (2005) Sport and Society: History, Power and Culture, Maidenhead: McGraw Hill Education