Sport, Politics and the Charity Industry

This study examines the nexus of sport, politics and the charity industry through an investigation of water agencies that raise funds to build water systems in the developing world. It explores the political economy of philanthropy and suggests new ways to research the relationships between sport, society and the environment.

Kyle Bunds is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at North Carolina State University, USA. His research and teaching examines the connection between sport and the environment generally, and sport, water, and air pollution more specifically. His work, which is primarily grounded in political economic theory, has been published in numerous academic journals, including Sport Management Review; European Sport Management Quarterly; Sport in Society; Critical Studies in Media Communication; Communication, Culture, and Critique; Cultural Studies - Critical Methodologies; Water Resources: IMPACT and the Journal of Sport Management. In addition to his scholarship, Kyle has also guest edited a special issue on political economics for the Journal of Amateur Sport

Preface 1. The Political Economy of Water 2. The Rise of Water Charities 3. As Volunteer: Understanding Participant Attachment to Water Charity 4. As Trainee: Running My Way to Answers? 5. As Participant: Organizing Aid Events 6. As Producer: Representing People in Need 7. Global North Meets Global South in Ethiopia 8. Conclusion