Sports in the 21st Century, according to Veblen

-- By RobertCorp - 13 Feb 2008

Introduction

Organized sports surged in importance during the 20th Century. The proliferation of widespread participation in athletics, as well as the explosion in popularity of spectator sports, changed the role of sports in America. However, analysis performed in 1899 by Thorstein Veblen remains useful when considering the implications of sports in our society. Despite the changes, sports remain a mechanism used for purposes of conspicuous consumption and leisure, and through which the morals of the community are spread.

Veblen’s observations came at a time when only the leisure class and “lower-class delinquents” participated in sports. (237). While this has changed drastically, Veblen’s viewpoint allows for interesting insight. Involvement in sports, both as participant and spectator, reflect the emulative nature which Veblen attaches to all social functions.

What Are We Teaching Through Sports

Veblen believed that sports taught predatory skills that were demonstrative of the morals of the elite. For the delinquents who participated, it reinforced their vulgar and rowdy nature. For neither of these classes were the skills learned useful for contribution to the collective well-being of society.

The lessons sports’ apologists offered to justify their practice did not impress Veblen; he believed the skills that were taught were “economically advantageous to the individual, as contradistinguished from the interests of the collectivity”. (262).

The working class, which did not have “a sporting habit” in 1899, is now just as apt to partake in sports as either the rich or the poor. (272). To this class, sports are seen as a useful means to develop a number of positive attributes. Teamwork, confidence, and leadership all are believed to be byproducts of athletics that are useful for development. The leisure class’ obsession with victory and the resulting ruthlessness is not as prevalent among this class. This can be seen in modern practice of not keeping score in youth games, so there are no ‘winners’ and ‘losers’.

Today, sporting events represent a significant portion of neighborhood interactions by the middle class. The class has placed an importance on community in recent times, and it uses youth sports to further this aim. The class has chosen to reinforce its community-based norms through the way which it treats sports (which Veblen described as the role of sports in a community).

This reality does not refute the difference in mentality between the middle class, and the rich and poor (whom he believed were more aggressive). The rich get personal trainers at young ages and are sent to competitive prep schools to hone their skills; the poor play on the same playgrounds as their elders and often are acclimated to sports in a rough and tumble atmosphere. For these classes, the emphasis on barbaric winning has not disappeared.

Conspicuous Nature of Sports

Veblen was critical of the institution of spectator sports, believing an “addiction” to sports to be a demonstration of barbarianism. (256). Spectator sports have taken on new dimensions since Veblen’s day. The payment of great sums for quality tickets, particularly season tickets, is a demonstration in conspicuous consumption. The ability to possess, and give away quality seats is conspicuous consumption in a society in which tickets to sporting events are highly sought after. Surely there are many people who derive entertainment from watching the competition, but the ability to attend an event represents a significant portion of its importance.

Spectators also take part in conspicuous leisure. The luxury of spending hundreds of hours a year watching a team, perhaps even traveling around the country for road games, demonstrates a substantial freedom of time. Also, knowledge of sports, in some circles, is similar to appreciation for art and music as “past performance of leisure”. (45).

Ramifications for Sports

The structure of professional sports is such that leagues attempt to reflect their spectators, rather than vice versa. Revenue is beholden to the willingness of spectators to attend events. Sports leagues must compose themselves in a way that makes attendance at games something that is socially desirable, worthy of being emulated.

The leisure class dictates the product that will be offered, as leagues cater to their demands. Through this leverage, the elite class attempts to utilize sports as a mechanism that espouses the virtues that it desires.

Consider the NBA. The league developed an ‘image problem’ in recent years due to the perceived ‘thuggery’ of its players (a result of tattoos, a few rap albums and an infamous in-game brawl). The leisure class felt threatened by what it characterized as the arrogance, immaturity, and lawlessness of NBA players.

The reaction of the league was to heighten all disciplinary policies and to require all non-participating players to wear suits on the bench. Preventing basketball players from wearing jeans and jewelry during games does nothing to their behavior; it allows a certain class to feel comfortable with the product they are purchasing.

Modern athletes are under the control of their leagues, which are controlled by the rich. Today’s athlete, from the Veblen perspective, is thus participating in vicarious leisure; a servant to the spectator. While there is certainly emulation of athletes today (see: “Be like Mike” advertising campaign), the conspicuous leisure and consumption of the elite class has resulted in leagues stunting the individuality of their athletes, attempting to force them into emulation of the image desired by the richest spectators.

Conclusion

There have been dramatic changes regarding the prevalence and importance of sports in American society since Veblen. His insight remains instructive in recognizing the utility, or lack thereof, of sports. Veblen hypothesized that the mentality of the middle-class precluded it from interest in athletics. Changes in social dynamics have resulted in the increased popularity of sports. The Veblen insight allows a unique perspective. Sports ultimately do not contribute to the economic well being of the society, and for that reason they fit Veblen’s characterization of human irrationality. The proliferation of sports has only resulted in more wasteful activity. Over 100 years later, sports remain a mechanism that induces emulation, in a more complicated and diverse way than Veblen could have imagined.