Physical Exercise Policy and the Welfare State: A Framework for Comparative Analysis

Abstract

This paper sketches out a framework for the comparative analysis of physical exercise policy within the context of the development of the welfare state. The term "physical exercise policy" is used here to refer to specific policies pertaining to the body which were geared towards the fostering of "physical fitness" and specific sport practices. The first section presents general considerations for comparative analysis. Section two discusses a "Society-State" framework. The concluding section presents directions for further studies. Historical examples are used to illustrate major points in the proposed framework.Recent studies (see for example Harvey 1988; Wilson 1988; Macintosh and Whitson 1990) have demonstrated the influence that the development of the welfare state has had on the transformation of physical exercise policy.2 These studies mostly focussed on single countries. Until now, there has not been a well theorized, comparative study of physical exercise policy within the context of the welfare state. The purpose of this paper is to sketch out a framework for such an analysis.In the first section, general considerations for the comparative analysis of physical exercise policy under the auspicious of the welfare state are presented. Section two discusses a proposed framework for such an analysis. The concluding section presents directions for further study. The paper presents a number of historical examples of physical exercise policy, drawn from ongoing research comparing Canada, England, France and Germany, to illustrate the major points of the proposed framework.Int Rev for Soc of Sport 28/1 (1993) ©

Sport policy in Spain

“…(Burriel and Puig, 1999). This relates to a general perception of the need for public authorities to adopt a hegemonic position at a particular point in time (Harvey;Beamish&Defrance, 1993:58).…”

International student-athlete perception of college sport and its effect on adjustment to college.

“…Research on international sport policy has shown sport participation opportunities are different from one nation to the next (Chalip, Johnson, & Stachure, 1996;Green, 2005;Palm, 1991;Stahl, Rutten, Nutbeam, & Kannas, 2002) and different levels of sporting opportunity are emphasized quite differently depending on the politics, history, and ideology of that nation and its policy makers (Chalip, 1995;Green & Oakley, 2001;Harvey, Beamish, & Defrance, 1993). Also, many international studentathletes develop their athletic abilities in the club system, which is quite different from the school-based system used in the United States (Rubingh & Broeke, 1998).…”

“…These articles discuss the importance of historical and political context of sport policy development and look at the major building blocks for sport policy development, such as economics, opportunity for all, and elite sport construction. Harvey, Beamish, and Defrance (1993) developed a framework for the comparative analysis of exercise policies in "welfare" states, or countries where the "state accepts responsibility for the provision of comprehensive and universal welfare for its citizens" (Spicker, 2006, Introduction section, para 1), setting up future multi-nation studies. Exercise policies refer to specific national policies pertaining to the body and initiated to develop physical fitness and sport practices among a nation's citizens.…”

“…An earlier study by Stahl et al (2001) found a relationship between physical environmental factors, policy factors, and physical activity status, but study results also showed the relationship weakened when "country" was controlled for. Another study by Harvey, Beamish, and Defrance (1993) demonstrated the need for researchers to consider historical constructions when examining sport and physical activity policies across nations. Therefore, the researchers in this study took historical background information into account in their investigation.…”

“…As pointed out by researchers such as Green and Oakley (2001) and Harvey, Beamish, and Defrance (1993), national sport policy develops differently in various countries, depending on the history, politics, and social climate of certain nations. Such differences can manifest themselves in a variety of ways among the youth who participate in sport in those nations, the affects of which are not entirely known.…”