| The growth, development and popularity of sport in the United States of America are as dramatic and as dynamic as the growth and development of the country itself. As with cultures and civilizations throughout the history of the human condition, sport is a logical and necessary extension of America's self-image. That self-image has been framed by two, distinct societal locutions, which, themselves, have been conceived in idealistic parameters. Although seemingly disparate in concept and application, these two locutions have defined the collective American psyche, and, as a consequence, have laid the elemental girders of America's social fabric, as well as its approach to every discursive activity, and here, more importantly, to its sporting activities. Those two locutions are 1) praise for, pursuit of and participation in "rugged individualism" in the form of self-reliance and independence, and 2) the practice of collective community cooperation from the Judeo-Christian ethical admonition to "help thy neighbor". Together, these two maxims have been axiomatic in any success realized by America; and, ultimately, their unified applications embrace the concept of virtue from Ancient Greek philosophy.;There are five components of the American tapestry which have contributed to the exponential growth and unparalleled quality of sport in America, each of which comports with the other four through its distinctive significance; the American economy, the competitive nature of the American psyche, the sense of teamwork in the American character, the American educational structure from kindergarten through the college experience, and the organized recreational leagues which have emerged in community after community. Figure I *Please refer to dissertation for diagrams.;Figure I, above, represents a concrete, schematic illustration indicating the interwoven structure of these components which provides for a unique philosophy of sport emerging from the totality of the American Experience in its political, economic, geographic, social, and psychological development.;It is significant to note that the founders of America strongly believed in a meritocracy, as opposed to the rigid structure of an aristocracy with its inherent inhibition Figure I, above, represents a concrete, schematic illustration indicating the interwoven structure of these components which provides for a unique philosophy of sport emerging from the totality of the American Experience in its political, economic, geographic, social, and psychological development.;It is significant to note that the founders of America strongly believed in a meritocracy, as opposed to the rigid structure of an aristocracy with its inherent inhibition. |
