{"product_id":"power-games-a-critical-sociology-of-sport-authoritative","title":"Power Games: A Critical Sociology of Sport - Authoritative","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Power Games: A Critical Sociology of Sport the verdict is straightforward: this book is for readers who want a rigorous, theory-driven account of how power shapes modern sport. The authors present a coherent framework rooted in class, political economy and hegemony that helps explain controversies from the Olympics to world football. For students, researchers and thoughtful fans seeking critical tools, this book offers the single biggest reason to buy: it supplies a comprehensive method for interrogating sport's social and political relations rather than a collection of isolated essays.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComprehensive theory:\u003c\/strong\u003e Presents a unified theoretical framework that situates sport within class and political economy to clarify how power operates across institutions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterdisciplinary approach:\u003c\/strong\u003e Draws on politics, sociology, history and philosophy to give readers multiple lenses for analysing sporting practices and structures.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlobal case studies:\u003c\/strong\u003e Applies theory to diverse contexts such as the Olympics, world football, boxing, cricket, tennis and windsurfing to show broad relevance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCritical method:\u003c\/strong\u003e Offers a method for research and activism aimed at changing social and political relations within sport and between sport and society.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRadical tradition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reconnects contemporary sport studies to class and hegemony debates, helping readers understand long-term structural drivers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is best suited to graduate students, academics and advanced undergraduates in sociology, sport studies and political economy who need a sustained, critical framework rather than descriptive histories. It will also reward policy researchers and activists looking for tools to interrogate power in major sporting institutions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a light, anecdotal or strictly biographical account of athletes' lives should look elsewhere, as the emphasis here is on theory, method and structural analysis rather than narrative storytelling or coaching guidance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides a clear, comprehensive theory for a critical sociology of sport that consolidates disparate debates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUses varied case studies to demonstrate applicability across sports and global contexts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInterdisciplinary sourcing strengthens arguments and offers multiple analytic tools for readers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe dense theoretical focus may feel heavy for casual readers or those expecting descriptive, anecdotal content.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePower Games: A Critical Sociology of Sport\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJohn Sugden, Alan Tomlinson\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScope\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTheory and method for a critical sociology of sport\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDisciplines\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePolitics, sociology, history, philosophy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCase studies include\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOlympics, world football, boxing, cricket, tennis, windsurfing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary themes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClass, political economy, hegemony, power relations\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePower Games is a valuable, well-argued contribution for anyone serious about understanding sport as a social and political field. Its comprehensive framework and interdisciplinary evidence make it good value for students and researchers who need a method for critique and change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book offer practical policy recommendations?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt focuses on theory and method to frame change rather than prescriptive policy playbooks, so it informs policy debate more than it supplies detailed policy steps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre real-world sports examples included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, the book applies its framework to diverse case studies such as the Olympics, world football, boxing, cricket, tennis and windsurfing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs prior study of sociology required?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrior familiarity with social theory helps, as the book is aimed at readers comfortable with concepts like class and hegemony.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"John Sugden, Alan Tomlinson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48176925114587,"sku":"0415251001","price":209.13,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61hTOUVAeEL._SL1500.jpg?v=1769105272","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/power-games-a-critical-sociology-of-sport-authoritative","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}