On Fox-hunting and Angling: Norbert Elias and the 'Sportisation' Process

This paper examines Norbert Elias's thesis on the 'sportisation process' in the light of two hunting sports, fox-hunting and angling. While this analysis of fox-hunting is found unconvincing, his approach proves particularly useful in analysing the development of modern angling. The paper argues that Elias's thesis is too broadly applied and requires a more detailed analysis of the social milieu and culture of the players involved in changing and unchanging codes of play. In addition, it argues that the relevant differences between fox-hunting and angling can only be fully explained through the analysis of changing relations between humans and animals/nature.