lifestyle leader

That is the title of a pretty good book by Franklin Foer, editor at The New Republic, an American magazine. It analyzes globalization and modernization through the prism of the world's great football clubs and rivalries. It is a fun and light read- you could finish it in a weekend- even if it a little too geared towards the American reader (hence 'soccer').

With the World Cup draw set for South Africa 2010, it is time to start analyzing the subtext of next summer's matches, preferably of the geopolitical variety.

Check out FP Passport for an introduction.