Two dynamics of globalization in the context of a sports mega-event: the case of UEFA EURO 2012 in Poland

ABSTRACT

The article uses the theoretical framework of Saskia Sassen’s two dynamics of globalization in order to analyse the relations between a nation-state and a non-state global actor when applying and preparing for a sports mega-event, namely UEFA Euro 2012 in Poland. The first dynamic of globalization is created by global institutions, organizations – such as global sport organizations, regimes, and processes. UEFA used the application process, and preparation, to confirm and consolidate its role as a global governor of an increasingly important area of globalization. The way Polish public institutions accommodated the UEFA requirements illustrates the second dynamic of globalization. The context of sports mega-events – ‘organized’ by global sports organizations and ‘hosted’ by nation-states – merges the two dynamics and makes it possible to emphasize the mechanisms involved in forming the new global order, defined by the complex interplay between the nation-state and non-state actors.

KEYWORDS:

• Globalization
• nation-state
• sports mega-events
• Saskia Sassen’s theory of globalization

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

ORCID

Renata Włoch http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4502-4738

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Uniwersytet Warszawski [grant number BST 2017/35].

Notes on contributors

Renata Włoch

Renata Włoch, PhD, majored in Sociology and International Relations. She is Adjunct Professor in the Institute of Sociology, the University of Warsaw, and Coordinator of Digital Economy Lab (http://www.delab.uw.edu.pl) at the University of Warsaw. She was the principal investigator in several action research projects (EEA grant ‘Civic participation: a diagnosis of barriers and creation of tools upgrading good governance’; CEE grant ‘Social Action 2012’, EU Commission grant ‘The city ghettos of today’, Horizon 2020 ‘Chain React’ https://chainreact.org). Since 2004 she has carried numerous evaluation research of public policies for public institutions and NGOs (Ministry of Sport, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, international think tanks such as Bruegel). Her scientific interests revolve around the theme of globalization. Her recent academic interests centre on trends in digital aspects of globalization, particularly in the aspect of supporting evidence-based public policy. ResearchGate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Renata_Wloch; Academia profile: http://uw.academia.edu/RenataW%C5%82och.