Mega-Events, City and Power

This book explores the power relations that emerge from the convergence of the universe in which the sporting spectacle is produced and the universe in which a city is produced, using Bourdieu's concept of field to investigate the interests and disputes involved in the production of sports mega-events and the role of host cities in these processes. It aims to identify the bases that give these spectacles the power to produce disruptions in the social fabric of host cities and countries and to enable the production of authoritarian forms of exercising power.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 22 October 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate interplay of power relations that arise from the convergence of two distinct universes: the universe of sports spectacle production and the universe of urban development. By employing Bourdieu's concept of field, the author explores the diverse interests and conflicts inherent in the creation of sports mega-events across different temporal and spatial contexts, as well as the crucial role played by host cities in these processes. The primary objective of this study is to identify the underlying foundations that grant these spectacles the ability to disrupt the social fabric of host cities and countries, while also facilitating the emergence of authoritarian forms of power exercise.

To accomplish this, the book takes a historical approach by examining the formation of the field of sport spectacle production as an autonomous domain. By doing so, it sheds light on how sport mega-events establish both a platform and a context for the radical expressions of authoritarianism inherent in neoliberal planning models. This book will appeal to a wide range of students, scholars, and professionals, including those specializing in architecture and urban studies, urban planning, municipal governance, sport and leisure studies, as well as those with an interest in the complex relationship between the State and capital in the production of urban space.

Weight: 456g
Dimension: 162 x 240 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367196981