British Militarism, Sport, Remembrance

British Militarism, Sport, Remembrance: “Support the Troops” critically explores the complex and evolving relationship between sport and militarism in the UK, offering an in-depth analysis of how political power and ideological narratives are constructed and contested through this nexus.

Framed around a clear thematic arc spanning power, politics, media representation, sociological interpretation, and ideological paradox, the book provides the first comprehensive resource on the sport-military connection in a British context. Drawing from a wide range of examples, it examines how sport is routinely employed to generate public support for the military, particularly through campaigns and rituals linked to national remembrance and troop appreciation. Each chapter builds on the last: from unpacking the political dimensions of militarism and sport, to analysing the ideological weight of UK remembrance culture, to demonstrating how deeply embedded military support narratives are within sporting institutions. Ultimately, the book reveals how these narratives function in public life and media, and exposes the ideological reality of the overarching “support the troops” orthodoxy embedded in everyday life in UK.

This book will be useful for students, scholars and researchers in the fields of sociology, political science, sport studies, cultural studies, and media studies, as well as policy-makers and those working in the military or sport sectors who seek a deeper understanding of the ideological role of sport in shaping public perceptions of the military in the UK.