International Events: Importance of Political Stability
Factors which contribute to political stability which will become the considerations of mega events
A stable government is seen as a peaceful, law-abiding society where decision-making and politico-societal change are the result of institutionalised and eufunctional procedures and not the outcome of anomic processes which resolve issues through conflict and aggression (Hurwitz, 1993). Political stability comprises the firmness of the government and society, the effectiveness of international diplomatic relationships, the reliability and integrity of the legal system and of the business infrastructure, the efficiency of government bureaucracy and the appropriateness and effectiveness of the government’s economic policies. Paldam (1998) argues political stability should include four dimensions: stable government; stable political system; internal law and order; external stability. Best (2012) also considers there are four axiomatic dimensions of political performance: durability, civil order, legitimacy and decisional efficacy.
Political issues include the entire sphere of the social; the implication of this is that events, processes and practices should not be labelled “non-political” or “extra-political” simply by virtue of the specific setting or context in which they occur (Hay, 2002). Roche (2000, p45) describes mega-sporting events as “large-scale cultural events which have a dramatic character, mass popular appeal and international significance. They are typically organised by variable combination of national governmental and international non-governmental organisations.” Running events is all about managing relationships in order to deliver a product within a given timeframe and budget. There will be numerous interested parties in any major event – stakeholders, athletes, federations, sponsors, security forces, and the media – and the initial establishment of positive working relationships with each of these groups will be vital for the success of the
A stable government is seen as a peaceful, law-abiding society where decision-making and politico-societal change are the result of institutionalised and eufunctional procedures and not the outcome of anomic processes which resolve issues through conflict and aggression (Hurwitz, 1993). Political stability comprises the firmness of the government and society, the effectiveness of international diplomatic relationships, the reliability and integrity of the legal system and of the business infrastructure, the efficiency of government bureaucracy and the appropriateness and effectiveness of the government’s economic policies. Paldam (1998) argues political stability should include four dimensions: stable government; stable political system; internal law and order; external stability. Best (2012) also considers there are four axiomatic dimensions of political performance: durability, civil order, legitimacy and decisional efficacy.
Political issues include the entire sphere of the social; the implication of this is that events, processes and practices should not be labelled “non-political” or “extra-political” simply by virtue of the specific setting or context in which they occur (Hay, 2002). Roche (2000, p45) describes mega-sporting events as “large-scale cultural events which have a dramatic character, mass popular appeal and international significance. They are typically organised by variable combination of national governmental and international non-governmental organisations.” Running events is all about managing relationships in order to deliver a product within a given timeframe and budget. There will be numerous interested parties in any major event – stakeholders, athletes, federations, sponsors, security forces, and the media – and the initial establishment of positive working relationships with each of these groups will be vital for the success of the
References: Altringer, B. (2005) “Hosting mega-events: the road to FIFA World Cup 2010” http://www.sacities.co.za/2005/fifa_31oct2005_beth_altringer.pdf Presented to the University of Cape Town, Accessed 12/11/2012, Best (2012), The country risk report, by A.M Goldman, S. (2012) The Olympics and Economics 2012, Goldman Sachs Global Economics, Commodities and Strategy Research Hay, C Hurwitz, L (1993)Contemporary Approaches to Political Stability, Comparative Politics, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 449-463 Hwang, Y INSEAD, (2012) Political stability & absence of violence/terrorism, http://www.globalinnovationindex.org/gii/main/analysis/rankings.cfm?vno=1.07&countryid=424 accessed-08/11/2012 Jennings, W Kassens-Noor, E. (2012), Planning for Olympic Legacies, Published by Routledge, Oxon, UK Leeds M Luard, E. (1993) The Globalisation of Politics: the Changed Focus of Political Action in the Modern World. The Macmillan Press Ltd, London, UK. Matheson, V. (2006) Mega-Events: The effect of the world’s biggest sporting events on local, regional and national economies, College of the Holy Cross, Department of Economics Faculty Research Series, No. 06-10, Worcester, USA Marger, N Paldam, M (1998) Does Economic Growth Lead to Political Stability? Published University Of Aarhus Riegel, J Roche, M. (2000) Mega-Events and Modernity, Routledge, London, UK SIRC, (2009) Security considerations at major games events, Sport Research Intelligence sportive , Vol Smith, J. (1998) Food Security And Political Stability The Asia-Pacific Region. Asia-Pacific Center, Hawaii Solomon, R UNESCAP(2009), Good Governance and Sustainable Solutions, United Nations, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. http://www.unescap.org/speeches/water-security-good-governance-and-sustainable-solutions accessed--07/11/2012