Impressions of the State,Trends and Prospects of the Sociology of Sport

Abstract

In this essay the author, one of the founders of ICSS, explores the heterogeneous substance of the sociology of sport as has been well reflected in this International Review since its very beginning. The roots of the heterogenity are traced into the three basic constituents of the sociology of sport: sociology as a mother science, sport culture in societies and societies themselves with their different political-cultural patterns. The mainstream of research tends to conform with the mainstream of practical sport, while various critical schools, which may be expected to gain strength in the near future, often challenge the conventional belief- system and late development of mainstream sport with emerging political, commercial and other external interests.