Imaginary and Power: The Dynamics of Groups linked to a soccer Organization

Abstract

The main objective of the research job done on Clube Atlético Paranaense is to understand how relationships of power can change depending on the imaginary settled in groups related to a soccer organization. The research was mainly focused on the dynamics of the creation of such imaginary within the Clube Atlético Paranaense soccer club. Among the objects of this research it was possible to observe the importance of speeches (said and not said) in the formation of collective imaginary. We analyzed how the articulation of the imaginary stems from emotions, ambivalent feelings, leadership, conflicts, self-image, other’s image, creative potentialities, moments of reflection and the process of self-regulation, and social control. We sought to identify in which way the social-historical factor influences this imaginary and the changes in the relationships of power among the groups related to the soccer events. We observed how the expectations projected from the imaginary are present in the soccer tournaments during the period studied and in the development of the relationships of power among the groups facing sequences of soccer organization’s successes and defeats. Finally, the research revealed that the relationships of power, as well as the collective imaginary, are singular, and must be contextualized within its time and in specific and concrete situations.