Norbert Eliass An Essay on Sport and Violence (1986) attempts to examine the role of sport in society and more

specifically, the way in which the development of sport can have direct links to the development patterns of a society. In doing so, Elias distinguishes his own form of sociology; figurational sociology (Giulianotti, 2004), as having greater merit as the basis for the sociological examination of sport than theories such as those of Emilie Durkheim (Elias, 1986). He closely examines the development of fox-hunting in England in the 18th and 19th centuries, as being particularly reflective of the changing attitudes towards violence in the social and political climate of the same time (Elias, 1986).

Eliass framework for examining the development of sport, figurational sociology, is utilized in order to maintain the contextual linkages of developing sports and their societies (Elias, 1986). He suggests that whilst a Durkheimian approach is relevant in helping to understand the roles of a society at large, such an approach can lose sight of whether rules and norms are changing society or the other way round (Elias, 1986). His critical examination of the Durkheimian approach and the subsequent explanation of his own approach, not only shed light on the usefulness of sociological thought in understanding the role of sport in society, but also indicate the importance of maintaining this role within historical contexts.

Most important in regards to Elias comments regarding fox-hunting, is the recognition of the sport as a means for the expression of violence (Elias, 1986 and Linklater, 2004). During what Elias (1986, p.163) claims as the civilizing

spurt, English society began to move away from the violence that plagued the previous centuries; from the way it conducted its parliament as well as a general pacifying of community emotions. Coinciding with this was a move from active participation in violent acts, to one where society merely observed violence occurring (Elias, 1986). English Fox-hunting, in this respect, reflects the societys move from violent participation to observation, as the act of violence is committed by proxy through the hounds (Elias, 1986). Whilst the application of the theory appears solid, its lack of transmission through other sports in other historical contexts, such as English football in the 1980s and 1990s lends weight to its opposition (Giulianotti, 2004). Violence was still prevalent in the sport, and whilst people were not themselves committing it, there was still a desire to see it committed.

Norbert Elias presents a convincing theoretical perspective on sports role in society. His use of figurational sociology indicates the importance of context when examining the role and meaning of sport in society. Whilst there may be discrepancies in some of his examples, his main focus on the parallels between the development of sport and the pacification of English society, in the 18th and 19th centuries, is vital in understanding the importance of the role sport plays in todays society.

References: Elias, N. and Dunning, E. (1986). Quest for Excitement; Sport and Leisure in the Civilizing Process. An Essay on Sport and Violence. Oxford. Pp. 150-174

Giulianotti, R. (2004). Sport and Modern Social Theorists. Civilizing Games: Norbert Elias and the Sociology of Sport. Palgrave Macmillan. Pp. 145-160 Linklater, A. (2004). Norbert Elias, The Civilizing Process and the Sociology of International Relations. International Politics. 41. Pp. 335