Take a look back at the country data by clicking the flags above, and using the links and videos found throughout the site, especially the CIA World Factbook, do some digging into the different connections that can be made regarding teams at the World Cup. You could consider one of the following topics, or come up with your own:
- Survey the political representation of countries. There are probably many similar generic forms of government, but is there any specific form that dominates? Are there any correlations between governing style and geographic location?
- Select a country (or a few countries) and look at potential connections between success of the teams (i.e. rankings or championships) and other factors present in a country, such as GDP, population, geographic location, demographics, historical factors, etc. Are there any relevant trends or themes? If yes, what may be the causes?
- One of the storylines in South Africa is the historical context of teams involved in this year's World Cup. For instance, there are several connections that can be made between countries competing in terms of colonial relationships (i.e. England/USA, Portugal/Brazil), or political tensions (i.e. North Korea/South Korea). Use the Factbook, or other sources to describe this relationship, both in a historical sense, and also how the relationship between the countries exists today. Are the connections or hostilities still relevant? Has the relationship deterred or progressed over time? etc.
- You can also address some of the questions and issues described earlier in the blog.
Share your findings in a post.
Finally:
- Reflect on your thoughts about representation and the World Cup, both in the media and in the people and countries involved.
- Do you buy into the political, cultural, and social storylines played up by the media? Are they even relevant? Do they have data to support their cause?
- What types of influence do you believe the World Cup and soccer as an industry has on global culture?
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