Assessing the sociology of sport: On the Latin American Association of Sociocultural Studies in Sport and research development in Latin America

Abstract

On the 50th anniversary of the ISSA and IRSS, a key scholar in the development of the sociology of sport in Latin America, Miguel Cornejo, reflects on the trajectory, challenges, and future opportunities for the field in light of recent organizational and disciplinary developments. It is noted that much development of the sociology of sport in Latin America can be credited to the inclusion of a “sociology of sport and society” Working Group at the 1999 Congress of the Latin America Association of Sociology; developments at subsequent meetings of that organization were solidified in 2007 with the formation of the Latin American Association of Sociocultural Studies in Sport (ALESDE). Development in the field of inquiry has been complex as Latin America is divided, not only along national borders, but by diverse and distinct local group and ethnic cultures. Early research in the sociology of sport in Latin America focused on football and much was influenced by the work of Elias, Bourdieu, and Dunning. Beyond figurational approaches, diverse theoretical vantage points have had application, including those taking functionalist approaches, using conflict theory and ethnography, and the adoption of symbolic approaches. An ongoing challenge has been to transact in the scholarly community where English is the dominant language. ALESDE has played an important role, mirroring development of more localized professional societies from around the world focused on the sociology of sport, in enabling the voices of Latin American scholars to be part of the larger disciplinary conversation.