We are living in an age of conspiracy theories, whether it's enduring, widely held beliefs such as government involvement in the Kennedy assassination or alien activity at Roswell, fears of a powerful infiltrating group such as the Illuminati, Jews, Catholics, or communists, or modern fringe movements of varying popularity such as birtherism and trutherism. What is it in American culture that makes conspiracy theories proliferate? Who is targeted, and why? Are we in the heyday of the conspiracy theory, or is it in decline? Though there is significant scholarly literature on the topic in psychology, sociology, philosophy, and more, American Conspiracy Theories is the first to use broad, long-term empirical data to analyze this popular American tendency. Joseph E. Uscinski and Joseph M. Parent draw on three sources of original data: 120,000 letters to the editor of the New York Times and Chicago Tribune from between 1890 and 2010; a two-wave survey from before and after the 2012 presidential election; and discussions of conspiracy theories culled from online news sources, blogs, and other Web sites, also from before and after the election. Through these sources, they are able to address crucial questions, such as similarities and differences in the nature of conspiracy theories over time, the role of the Internet and communications technologies in spreading modern conspiracy theories, and whether politics, economics, media, war, or other factors are most important in popularizing conspiratorial beliefs. Ultimately, they conclude that power asymmetries, both foreign and domestic, are the main drivers behind conspiracy theories, and that those at the bottom of power hierarchies have a strategic interest in blaming those at the top-in other words, "conspiracy theories are for losers." But these "losers" can end up having tremendous influence on the course of history, and American Conspiracy Theories is an unprecedented examination of one of the defining features of American political life.
The hosting of major sporting events can be a key tool in the development of cities and countries around the world. If carried out effectively these events can not only bring prestige to an area but can leave the local population with a legacy of improved infrastructure and facilities. Managing Major Sports Events: Theory and Practice is a complete introduction to the principles and practical skills that underpin the running and hosting of major sports events, from initial bid to post-event legacy. The book draws closely on the authors’ personal practical experiences of day-to-day management during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, now widely regarded as the gold standard of Olympic organisation. Drawing on the latest research from across multiple disciplines, it covers every key area in the event management process, including: Bidding, leadership and planning Venue implementation Communications (e.g., media, marketing and sponsorship, technology) Functional area considerations (e.g., sport, protocol, security and risk management) Games-time considerations Ceremonies Legacy and sustainability. Each chapter contains a unique combination of theory, practical decision-making exercises and case studies of major sports events from around the world, helping students and practitioners alike to understand and prepare for the reality of executing major events on an international scale. A companion website includes self-test quizzes and flashcards for students, links to 110 useful websites, 173 summary slides, plus 45 essay questions and extended decision-making exercises for lecturers. Managing Major Sports Events: Theory and Practice is an essential textbook for any course on sports event management or international sports management and an invaluable resource for all sport management researchers and professionals.
What causes a state to unify voluntarily with another state? If realists are right, voluntary union should never happen. In their view, states value their sovereignty above all else and would never give it up without a fight. Yet the United States and Switzerland are glaring exceptions to this paradigm. If liberals and constructivists are right, voluntary unions should be much more common and actually increasing in frequency. After all, classic determinants of integration such as international trade and communication are stronger than they have ever been. Yet the number of states in the world continues to climb, and the most favorable arena for unification, the European Union, seems to be hitting a glass ceiling. In Uniting States, Joseph Parent argues that unions are the balancing coalitions of last resort. Elites can weld separate states into a lasting union only when facing particularly serious threats. Drawing on five major historical cases of union--the United States, Switzerland, Sweden--Norway, Gran Colombia, and the European Union--Uniting States sheds new light on political polarization, state dissolution, federalism, and the possibility of uniting without fighting.
In Twilight of the Titans, Paul K. MacDonald and Joseph M. Parent examine great power transitions since 1870 to determine how declining powers choose to behave, identifying the strong incentives to moderate their behavior when the hierarchy of great powers is shifting. Challenging the conventional wisdom that such transitions push declining great powers to extreme measures, this book argues that intimidation, provocation, and preventive war are not the only alternatives to the loss of relative power and prestige. Using numerous case studies, MacDonald and Parent show how declining states tend to behave, the policy options they have, how rising states respond to those in decline, and what conditions reward particular strategic choices.
Managing Major Sports Events: Theory and Practice is a complete introduction to the principles and practical skills that underpin the running and hosting of major sports events, from initial bid to post-event legacy and sustainability. Now in a fully revised and updated new edition, the book draws on the latest research from across multiple disciplines, explores real-world situations, and emphasises practical problem-solving skills. It covers every key area in the event management process, including: • Bidding, leadership, and planning; • Marketing and human resource management; • Venues and ceremonies; • Communications and technology (including social media); • Functional area considerations (including sport, protocol, and event services); • Security and risk management; • Games-time considerations; • Event wrap-up and evaluation; • Legacy and sustainability. This revised edition includes expanded coverage of cutting-edge topics such as digital media, culture, human resources, the volunteer workforce, readiness, security, and managing Games-time. Each chapter combines theory, practical decision-making exercises, and case studies of major sports events from around the world, helping students and practitioners alike to understand and prepare for the reality of executing major events on an international scale. Also new to this edition is an "Outlook, Trends, and Innovations" section in each chapter, plus "tips" from leading events professionals. Managing Major Sports Events: Theory and Practice is an essential textbook for any course on sports event management or international sports management, and an invaluable resource for all sport management researchers, practitioners and policymakers. Online resources include PowerPoint slides, multiple choice questions, essay questions, stories, and decision-making exercises.
What role can strategic thinking play in contemporary sport management? It can be the difference between leading or languishing – it’s that important! Covering sport at all levels, from community-based sport to elite sport, this is the first textbook to focus on strategic management in a sport context. The book introduces the fundamentals of strategic planning, environmental analyses, strategic direction and leadership, strategy formulation and selection, implementation, strategic control, and change management. Designed to encourage students to develop a strategic mindset, as well as critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the book unpacks key concepts such as leadership, governance, organizational change, and the multiple layers of strategy in sport. Full of real-world case studies from diverse, international sport business environments, and useful pedagogical features such as review questions and guides to online resources, this is an essential text for any sport management course and an invaluable resource for sport development, recreation management, or events management courses.
This reference offers an analysis of the issues and theoretical construction behind sport organisations. The practical case studies and profiles illustrate how the theory and knowledge can be applied to realistic examples. There is also information on strategic alliances and research in sports management.
Sharp, clear and relevant this book meets the needs of those studying and researching within the growing discipline of sport management. The intelligently cross-referenced entries provide a concise overview of the key concepts in the field guiding you through the important debates, sources and research methods in the management and delivery of sport.
This case study explores the issue of team leadership among players who have been selected to play for their national team in an international tournament. After the coaching staff had solidified the roster, a total of 12 (fictional) players were chosen to represent Canada Basketball on the senior women's development team. With some players having known their teammates for only 2 weeks, the coaching staff has asked the team's analytics specialist to gather data regarding the network of players within the team and present potential captains of the team to the coaching staff. Students will take on the role of the analytics specialist and provide the summary of the analysis to the coaching staff. Specifically, using a social network analysis approach, students will use the team's network of players to determine which individual players are involved in the team's leadership structure as captains. The primary objective of this case study is to afford students an opportunity to be acquainted with social network analysis in a sport management setting.
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