Freedom for Catalonia?: Catalan Nationalism, Spanish Identity and the Barcelona Olympic Games (Cambridge Cultural Social Scie) [Paperback]

John Hargreaves (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 17, 2000 | Series: Cambridge Cultural Social Scie

Although the fight for independence by ethnic minorities has received much attention recently, there is no study of how globalized sport in its most advanced form can help to stimulate it. This book shows how the 1992 Olympic Games raised the tension that already existed between Catalonia and Spain. John Hargreaves analyzes and explains the way in which the conflict developed and eventually was resolved in terms of the special characteristics of Catalan nationalism, the nature of the new Spanish democracy and the special role played by the International Olympic Committee.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Freedom for Catalonia provides a stimulating sociological exploration of the dynamic interaction between regional, local andn national identities during the organization and staging of the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992... Hargreaves provides a good model for staging a broad discussion of national identity through a close reading of a particular Olympic Games." Pamela Radcliff, Journal of Interdisciplinary History

"Carefully documented and resting on a significant amount of participant observation, Hargreaves' book makes an imporatant contribution in several areas of inquiry." Bulletin of The Society for Spanish and portuguese Historical Studies

Book Description

Although the fight for independence by ethnic minorities has received much attention recently, there is no study of how globalised sport in its most advanced form can help to stimulate it. This book shows how the 1992 Olympic Games raised the tension that already existed between Catalonia and Spain. John Hargreaves analyses and explains the way in which the conflict developed and eventually resolved in terms of the special characteristics of Catalan nationalism, the nature of the new Spanish democracy and the special role played by the International Olympic Committee.

Product Details

• Paperback: 190 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (July 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521586151
• ISBN-13: 978-0521586153
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,538,292 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Catalonia, July 10, 2002

By 

Matt McClellan (Pullman, Washington United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Freedom for Catalonia?: Catalan Nationalism, Spanish Identity and the Barcelona Olympic Games (Hardcover)

Freedom for Catalonia? by John Hargreaves is an interesting study on the Barcelona Olympics and their effect on Catalan nationalism and the Spanish central authorities. Both the Catalans and the Spanish attempted to use the Games as a tool to further their own goals.
Much of the early part of the book is the background necessary to understand the discussion through out the rest. Hargreaves discusses the importance of national identity to the people of Catalonia. We learn that their nationalism tends to be inclusive rather than exclusive, an important principal in the outcome of the games. Although well written, the language in this section is overly academic and difficult for the average college student to grasp.
Hargreaves describes the rival factions vying for control of the content of the games. There are attempts by the nationalists to put as much Catalanism into the Games as possible, by whatever means they can. It is not until the last minute that the content is decided upon. The compromise the sides work out, the paz olimpica, results in a balance where both side benefit. In the end, the Olympics are a triumph for Catalan culture, with out diminishing the prestige of Spain.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Look at Sports and Nationlism, June 28, 2002

By 

Jasper (Your Mom, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Freedom for Catalonia?: Catalan Nationalism, Spanish Identity and the Barcelona Olympic Games (Hardcover)

In his book, Freedom for Catalonia, John Hargreaves analyzes the extent to which the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games affected the political, economic, and social relationships between Catalonia and Spain, and the mutual effects that the Games had on the Catalonian and Spanish identities. Hargreaves presents, for the most part, a well thought out argument with a distinctive investigation of the relationship between sport and nationalism. He discusses his own conceptualization of sport as an important entity in both the political and cultural realm, in addition to his intricate notion of ethnic and civic nationalism. These explanations, along with an in depth look at Spanish and Catalonian historical and cultural ties, provide the extensive background necessary to fully appreciate the influence of the Barcelona Olympics on Catalonian nationalism and Spanish identity.
Hargreaves provides a detailed account, based on his personal experience at the Barcelona Olympics, of the two organizing committees' attempts to Catalonize and Espanolize the Games. He explains the important controversies centered around certain Olympic rituals, like the opening, closing, and medal ceremonies. He considers the tensions between the Spanish nationalists, the Catalan nationalists, and the various Catalan Left-wing activist groups that arose from the debate over what role the Catalan flag should play in the games, what languages should be sanctioned, and what type of patriotic music should be played. Hargreaves also discusses, aside from the central concern of the text, to what extent the 1992 Games were Americanized, Europeanized, and globalized.
In conclusion Hargreaves explains how Spanish organizing committee's eventual concession to allow the Games to be Catalonized affected the sense of Catalan nationalism and Spanish identity. He investigates the immediate and lasting effects of the Games on the Catalonian and Spanish people through a rather monotonous series of tables and charts. For the most part, Hargreaves presents an interesting exploration of the affects that the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games had on the insurgence Catalan nationalism and the relationship between Catalonia and Spain.

4.0 out of 5 stars Catalonia, July 10, 2002

By 

Matt McClellan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Freedom for Catalonia?: Catalan Nationalism, Spanish Identity and the Barcelona Olympic Games (Hardcover)

Freedom for Catalonia? by John Hargreaves is an interesting study on the Barcelona Olympics and their effect on Catalan nationalism and the Spanish central authorities. Both the Catalans and the Spanish attempted to use the Games as a tool to further their own goals.
Much of the early part of the book is the background necessary to understand the discussion through out the rest. Hargreaves discusses the importance of national identity to the people of Catalonia. We learn that their nationalism tends to be inclusive rather than exclusive, an important principal in the outcome of the games. Although well written, the language in this section is overly academic and difficult for the average college student to grasp.
Hargreaves describes the rival factions vying for control of the content of the games. There are attempts by the nationalists to put as much Catalanism into the Games as possible, by whatever means they can. It is not until the last minute that the content is decided upon. The compromise the sides work out, the paz olimpica, results in a balance where both side benefit. In the end, the Olympics are a triumph for Catalan culture, with out diminishing the prestige of Spain.