Globalization, Culture Wars, and Attitudes toward Soccer in America: An Empirical Assessment of How Soccer Explains the World

Authors

Andrew M. Linder, Concordia College
Daniel Hawkins, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2012

Publication Title

The Sociological Quarterly

Volume

53

First Page

68

Last Page

91

Abstract

This study examines the “culture wars” using the lens of attitudes towards soccer. Despite soccer’s increasing popularity in the U.S., anti-soccer rhetoric is fairly common. In his widely read book, How Soccer Explains The World (2004), Foer contends that the “culture wars,” including divisions over soccer, are better explained by reactions to globalization than social class or political ideology. Using data from a survey of Nebraskans, we find that attitudes about cultural globalization are the best predictor of soccer sentiment. Contrary to popular claims about the “culture wars,” most respondents were moderate in their attitudes towards both soccer and globalization.

Recommended Citation

Lindner, Andrew M. and Daniel N. Hawkins. 2012. “Globalization, Culture Wars, and Attitudes toward Soccer in America: An Empirical Assessment of How Soccer Explains the World.” The Sociological Quarterly 53: 68-91.