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The Spread of Ethos: Cricket and Empire

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Cricket's Changing Ethos

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Abstract

Cricket had an important role to play in the development of ethos throughout the colonial world. Respect for authority may be difficult to instil into a population subject to alien rule, but if taught through values that have been applied to the everyday social world, it may prove more acceptable. Gemmell considers the lessons that were promoted and the links between the rulers and the indigenous higher social classes as they sought to determine authority. Cricket suited them both. This chapter examines what was passed on through the spirit of the game, and then looks at the benefits for those indigenes who supported the colonial project. It finally considers the role of cricket in sowing social divisions.

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Notes

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Gemmell, J. (2018). The Spread of Ethos: Cricket and Empire. In: Cricket's Changing Ethos. Global Culture and Sport Series. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76339-2_4

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