Japan Journal of Sport Sociology
Online ISSN : 2185-8691
Print ISSN : 0919-2751
ISSN-L : 0919-2751
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Aspects and Angles of Politics Surrounding Modern Sport:
Comparison of Policy Decision-making and Institutional Structure of the Sports Basic Act of Japan and France
Kenji SAITO
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JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

2012 Volume 20 Issue 2 Pages 23-35

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Abstract

 The purpose of this study is to consider aspects and angles of politics surrounding modern sport, by comparing the policy decision-making and institutional structures of the Sports Basic Act of Japan and that of France.
 Firstly, in regard to the policy decision-making of the Sports Basic Act, we analyzed actions and relationships among actors involved in the decision-making processes. As a result, we focused on numerous issues; the political tendency of adjustment at the stage of prior legislative consultation by the bipartisan Parliamentary Sport Federations, the tendency that conflicts of interest and issues between political parties do not become apparent, the status of adjustment by some politicians and the weakness of legislative deliberation, the problem of very short legislative consultation, the change of organization mechanisms of the Direction of Sports, the postponement trend of decision-making of relationships among ministries or agencies, the control of legislation by the bureaucracy, the lack of opportunities for democratic bottom-up consultation, the ambiguity of authority relationships and the absence of antagonistic relations between the nation and sport governing body, the influence of organization by specific experts or related persons such as the Japanese Advisory Board, weakness of sports media and their lack of criticism on policy making, and a weakness of national interest.
 Secondly, in regard to the institutional structure of the Sports Basic Act, we analyze the regulations involved with governance, enforcement, privileges, order etc., and examined the interaction between social forces based on these regulations. As a result, we pointed out the structure of conflict between sporting nation theory and sport culture theory, the significance and effect of introduction of provision of sport rights, the background of the introduction of provision regarding effort of sports organizations and the relationship with the concept of rule of law and governance theory, the confrontation with sports organizations and the Japan Sports Arbitration Agency by the introduction of the sport dispute resolution system, the authority of the Ministry of Education and the structure of relationships among institutions or agencies, and the tendency to avoid political conflict of central and local relations.
 Finally, in order to improve the ambiguity of the decision-making process of sport policy and the ambiguity of the legal system over authority relationships and responsibilities, we pointed out that it is necessary to establish sport rights and basic principles of sport law and promote the rationalization and sophistication of policy processes and institutional structure of sport policy. In addition, we pointed out that it is necessary to consider institutional structure to ensure democratic bottom-up consultation.

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© 2012 Japan Journal of Sport Sociology
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