Book

The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer

Name: The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer
Author: James M. Dorsey

James M. Dorsey

2016

James M. Dorsey · 2016 · Singapore/UK

Analyzes how football intersects with authoritarianism, protest and soft power across the Middle East.

A rigorously reported academic-journalistic account of an under-covered footballing region.

The Historian

The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer illuminates a little-known chapter in the global history of football, one that reveals the complex interplay between sport and politics in authoritarian regimes. Through meticulous research, James M. Dorsey's work preserves the stories of players, fans, and officials caught up in the region's tumultuous struggles for power and identity.

The Psychologist

The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer reveals a complex web of desire for national identity and belonging amidst authoritarian rule. Football becomes a site for projecting civic values and dissent, as fans navigate the boundaries between patriotism and protest in a fragile, geopolitically charged landscape.

The Sceptic

Dorsey's work presents a complex web of intersections between soccer, politics, and culture in the MENA region. However, it may oversimplify the nuances of local contexts and overlook the agency of grassroots actors. Additionally, its focus on authoritarianism might inadvertently reinforce dominant power structures rather than subverting them.

These are interpretations written in three voices, not quotations from any individual.

Language: English
Length: 359 pp
Subject: Football and politics across MENA
Region: Middle East
Tone: Investigative
Difficulty: Deep

Hurst Publishers; hardback and ebook

In print

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