Learning Globalization From Football

Football is not only popular, but probably the world's most globalized profession. The most talented Brazilian, Cameroonian and Japanese football players move from country to country more so than doctors, computer scientists, blue-collar workers or bank tellers. On the club circuit, rules have evolved so that international character defines top teams, and statistics show that success concentrates where globalization and commercialization flourish. This prompts economist Branko Milanovic to speculate about free mobility of labor in other professions. As doctors, computer scientists, and engineers are allowed to circulate without restriction, talent likely concentrates in the richest nations. But the international federation requires that players compete for their own country's teams in World Cup games. As a result, players hone their skills around the world and then return home for major competition. Thus, the federation puts the brakes to "leg drain" – football's corollary to globalization's "brain drain." Milanovic suggests that similar rules could be imposed to control the abrupt forces of globalization. For example, rules could require migrants from poor countries to spend a percentage of time working in their homelands and encourage distribution of valuable skills, technology and connections. While globalization is not a game, football can offer some inspiration for fair play. – YaleGlobal