Fiji, rugby and the geopolitics of soft power. Shaping national and international identity

Abstract

In this century, sport has steadily become a more visible and marketable part of everyday life and of global political significance. States have consequently used sport as a means of soft power in order to develop a positive international presence and, usually to a lesser extent, affirm national identity. Sport diplomacy is usually associated with mega-events and large states, but Fiji has used its prowess in rugby, and its Sevens victory in the 2016 Olympic Games, to promote itself globally, strengthen its national image and support government claims to legitimacy. The government emphasised Fijian values to construct a banal nationalism, in the face of ethnic divisions, and external concerns over repression of civil society. At least ephemerally, Fiji acquired new international recognition, and the government gained national legitimacy, indicating the expanding role of sport in geopolitics.

The soft power of Arab women’s football: changing perceptions and building legitimacy through social media

“…Thus, it appears that countries could benefit from alternative soft power strategies that might lead to more tangible outputs. Another potential solution, as proposed by Connell (2018a) is for countries to focus inward on their national identity before showing themselves on the international stage. He explains, 'soft power must therefore always be also focused inwards in the interests of national unity, stability and acceptance, allowing "ordinary people" to participate and support the nation detached from the political system' (p. 99).…”

“…First, most studies focus on mega-sport events, rather than other, more grassroots efforts to gain soft power (Grix andBrannagan 2016, Sayama 2016). As a result of this, smaller countries receive little attention (Connell 2018a). More specifically, the GCC was largely underresearched until Qatar won the World Cup bid in 2010.…”

“…As with the hosting of formal training courses, making social links with institutions and authorities is a necessarily formal connection. As a result, the WFCs, as legitimacy seeking organisations, are enabled to strengthen foreign policies (Nye 1990), gain an international legitimacy source (Strittmatter et al 2018), and garner soft power (Connell 2018a). The attendance of GCC football authorities at global events, promoted in social media, amplifies their participation on a global stage.…”

“…This was demonstrated by a Kuwait post calling for members of the public to join their WFC. It gives ordinary people the opportunity to take part in an activity without political influence (Connell 2018a).…”

The Newspaper as a Vehicle for Fan Participation in Fiji Rugby Union

“…The national team has reverted to the cibi instead of the ibole. Connell (2018 noted that the captain of Fiji rugby's first tour of New Zealand in 1939, Ratu Sir George Cakobau, made the team perform the cibi as its pre-match challenge to counter the haka (Connell, 2018). With this historical attachment, it is important the cibi was maintained.…”