Can football become a force for liberation or is it just another 'opium of the masses'? Beyond the Final Whistle explores a new philosophy of football, showing how sport could lead to social change instead of propping up a hyper-consumerist and collapsing society. With a light touch, Vasilis Kostakis tackles the meaning of the beautiful game, exploring how it is produced and played, from the dribbles of a young Zapatista, to the many goals of Messi. Speaking to activists, philosophers, comedians and footballers themselves, he imagines what football would look like in a new, post-capitalist world. How does football affect global inequality and the climate crisis? How does it teach our children empathy? What makes the game so captivating to billions of people, and how can this passion be used for liberation? With humour and insight, Beyond the Final Whistle is a love letter to football and revolution. About the Author Vasilis Kostakis is a Professor of Technology Governance and Sustainability at TalTech's Ragnar Nurkse Department of Innovation and Governance in Estonia. He is also a Faculty Associate at Harvard University's Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society. Vasilis is the founder of the P2P Lab and a founding member of both the Tzoumakers rural makerspace and the Commonen energy cooperative. What People Are Saying "This book is a politically-committed love letter to all football fans out there who still care about the sport; and to anyone who cares about our life in common." Giorgos Kallis, ICREA professor, ICTA-UAB "A delightful exploration of football, capitalism, and the difference between the incessant pursuit of more for its own sake and the possibility of making a meaningful life with others in common" Yochai Benkler, author of The Wealth of Networks: How Social Production Transforms Markets and Freedom "Beyond the Final Whistle resonates deeply with my own journey in using football to spark meaningful change. This book is a profound reminder that football is far more than a sport; it’s a canvas for building a fairer and more compassionate world. Vasilis weaves these truths into a compelling call to action, showing how each of us can play a role in creating a better future" Kelly Davies, Retired International Wales Football Player and Co-Leader 'Sport for Changemaking' Global Team "You might think that a football pitch might not be the obvious place to begin to change the world, but Vasilis Kostakis encourages us to think otherwise. Using both mundane and wonderful examples, this tremendous book encourages readers to see the politics in the cooperation that makes a match possible, even if it is often shadowed by the spectres of big business. This is an incitement to take back the game, and begin to make it beautiful again" Martin Parker, Professor of Organisation Studies, Bristol University "If you love football and sharing, Vasilis Kostakis takes you on a deeply personal tour, explaining how the two can be a pair rather than opposites, brilliantly arguing for football less as symbol than as symptom of what has gone wrong in our structured living-together – and how it could be (made) better." Wolfgang Drechsler, Honorary Professor at the UCL Institute for Innovation for Public Purpose "Beyond the Final Whistle shows us how football can be not only an instrument, but also an essential part of social transformations for a more just society. By bringing stories of hope and fantasy that this sport evokes, showing the magical and artistic aspects of football from all corners of the world, Kostakis provokes in the reader a feeling of immersion rarely seen in other books about the sport." Jorge Knijnik, author of Tales of South American Football and Jane Hunter, University of Technology Sydney "In a world where culture faces serious manipulation by populist and authoritarian leaders, Vasilis Kostakis presents an inspiring narrative on how culture and sports can become levers to promote democracy. A compelling read for all; football fans or otherwise." Maria Kaika, Professor of Urban Regional and Environmental Planning, University of Amsterdam Table of Contents How this book was writtenFunding acknowledgementIntroductionPart I: What is football?1. Football is art2. The football gods are dead3. We always dance together4. We always sing together5. It came home6. So what is football anyway?Part II: What world do we want?7. We all kicked a ball once8. The one who always kicked the can9. The Hallowed Lost Penalty10. Messi stretches to infinity11. The tragedy of our times12. When you're down 4-0 in the 89th minute, can you turn the tide?13. The poor are poor because they make poor choices14. The tunnel to the other side of earth15. The Cruyff turn16. So can the world change through football?Part III: How to change the world through football17. The turn of the century18. Drivers should drive and footballers should kick the ball19. Democracy in football, democracy in society20. Perhaps the greatest match of all time21. Another world is here22. The football of change23. So how do we change the world through football?Sources and further readingIndex
