The political and economic indicators of soccer success

by Josh

Does national team success come to countries with increased income, population, and democracy? Yes, according to a paper (pdf) presented at the Eastern Economics Association Conference.

5 comments

1 Soccer Dad { 04.04.07 at 7:38 am }: Sooooooo I guess our national team’s lack of success is due toooooooo less democracy in America? I can see that.
2 Ken { 04.04.07 at 8:33 am }: Okay, first let me admit that I haven’t read the paper that Josh links to. Why? Because I’m at work and shouldn’t be spending my time reading 23 page thesis’s on soccer, economics and politics. However, I have to ask the question: what defines soccer success? Does that mean winning a World Cup? Or having made it to the semifinals at some point? I would argue that, for the 170 or so countries that did not qualify for the last WC, just reaching the 32 team finals may be considered as a “success”.

So if you agree with that, then it must be said that the US has achieved success (even if our democratic institutions are in a state of decline).

I’ll put up Trinidad and Tobago as an example…
3 Josh { 04.04.07 at 9:38 am }: Ken: “Success” in the paper is linked to FIFA points/ranking.
4 Ken { 04.04.07 at 9:48 am }: Oh – that’s unfortunate.
5 Josh { 04.04.07 at 11:54 am }: Indeed.

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