This can be translated as a reaction to the issue of globalization. Finally, soccer represents a series of common values. The ad campaigns promoted by major sports endorsements have transformed the game from a lawn practice to a global affair. Indeed, companies such a Nike and Adidas, the symbols of American street culture are no longer prevented from offering sponsorship deals to the Chinese teams, especially given the fact that such companies are strong supporters of the Chinese and Indian economies, with factories and subsidiaries all over the world.

On the other hand, Appiah discusses the idea of globalization from a philosophical point-of-view. Thus he argues that there is a strong relationship between individuality as seen in the works of ancient philosophers and in those of Mill and the social structure that we are today (Appiah, 2007). More precisely, he does not consider a clash between individuality and our social demands. He is indeed an advocate of a cosmopolite world, but from a different perspective from that of Foer. Thus, while Foer argues globalization as an inevitable fact, Appiah views it as a natural consequence and as a prescribed event.

It is rather difficult to argue on one perspectives or another. However, in terms of globalization, this can be viewed as having been inevitable. The two points-of-view, that of Foer and of Appiah can be viewed as being complementary. Indeed, the constant exchange of information, of...

At the same time though, in order to perceive these changes at the individual level, the entire notion of individuality changed. At the moment, the issue of identity, as Appiah pointed out, must not take into account the distinction of race or skin color but rather that of the inner beliefs. One can maintain its individuality without rejecting the social nature of the human being. Man is, as most philosophers argued, a social animal. This however, does not determine its individuality but rather it completes it. Soccer is from this point-of-view a connection link for billions of people throughout the world. These people adhere to the same values and norms of fair play and competition, regardless of their clear cut individuality.
The phenomenon of globalization can indeed resemble to that of the soccer phenomenon. What both Foer and Appiah argue is that regardless of the social nature of globalization and soccer, the issue of individuality is crucial and, with clear cases in mind, this is maintained. People can respect and cherish their individual nature while at the same time being engaged in a higher, more socially orientated global stand.

References

Appiah, Kwame Anthony. The ethics of identity. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2007.

Foer, Franklin. How Football Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization. London, Arrow Books, 2006.