| dc.description.abstract | On the 2nd December 2010, Qatar succeeded with its most prestigious attempt thus far, to become a player on the world stage. The announcement that awarded them the task to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022 was in some way the culmination of a strategy the country had cultivated for some years already. Through exhibitions, conferences and different sporting events, the aim of the Qatari government has been to bring in tourists, increase (soft) power, diversify its economy and better its reputation concerning the Human Rights’ situation. In short, place the country within a frame of a modern prosperous state. However, as I will show in this thesis, the leaders of Qatar are not willing to make concessions that might weaken the powers gathered on very few hands. In my thesis, the phenomenon of «sportswashing» will be central, as I have found it to be a tool for the Qatari authorities to keep a status quo, while at the same time working to change their image and turn the publics attention towards spectacular events. Sports are inherently connected to the positive notions of fear play and competition based on understanding and friendship between nations.
The thesis aims to answer whether it will be possible for Qatar to obtain its goals and at the same time uphold politics and structures that do little, if anything, to adress the human rights violations frequently displayed by outside actors, NGOs, football fans and media. Can they avoid making substantial political reform? The thesis will show evidence that, though the strategies and visions are many, the willingness and openness to real change is scarce. Will Qatar’s road to becoming a real player on the international stage come to a «dead end street»? | |