Fourth Blog Post

How Soccer Explains the World, a book written by Franklin Foer to offer a theory of globalization through examination of professional soccer, reveals how corporations have the power to control significant portions of a nation. Calling it a kind of neo-medievalism, the corporate influence inside of the soccer clubs is not only powerful, but telling of the kind of control multi-national corporations have over every other corner of the world. Broken down in chapter 7, How Soccer Explains the New Oligarchs, Foer uses the example of AC Milan, and its infamous owner, Silvio Berlusconi. Just as Berlusconi’s power and influence over the soccer club translated into real political power following his rise to Prime Minister of Italy, so too is there a connection between wealthy tycoons and business leaders to the powers that be across the developed world.

Globalization, for all the benefits it has brought society in terms of access to goods and the spread of culture, has resulted in the unprecedented spread of private corporations into the public sphere. The owners of the Juventus soccer club, the Agnelli family was, for all intents and purposes, a royal family within Italy. Through their ownership and influence in banking, finance, and publishing, the Agnelli’s were untouchable. Even the Prime Minister of Italy had to “polish the Angellis’ doorknob,” as an old joke went. While this sounds terrifying, similar trends have emerged among the billionaire elite here in the United States and around the world. Whereas in years prior such power was hidden and used behind the scenes, the elite are now openly known.

They are, however, largely immune to the rule of law, protected by loopholes, legal restrictions, and more than a few greased hands. While it would be poor form to simply assume that politicians are largely corrupt and exist solely to serve the wealthy, it would be inaccurate to assume that it isn’t happening at all levels of government. In the instances where the wealthy are punished for obvious crimes, sentences are usually much lighter than those inflicted upon average members of society. With no one willing or able to stop them, corporate leaders continue to push for greater control of industries, sectors, even parts of countries.

Soccer is but one area of life where this obvious influence can be seen and measured. By taking note of how oligarchs of the past have behaved as opposed to current corporate backers, we can analyze the use and spread of their influence in other areas as well. Only by properly identifying and checking their power can society prevent a corporate takeover from usurping the power of elected officials. In the largely democratic society most developed countries find themselves in, it is to be expected that only those elected should have power over others. Those whose sole claim to legitimacy is wealth, however, must be confined solely to the free market economy, lest they attempt a power grab.