Abstract
The subject of policy and politics occupies an important place in the study of sport and society. This chapter considers the domain’s key issues, including those surrounding distribution (e.g., state emphasis on mass or elite sport), regulation (e.g., doping, match-fixing), and governance (e.g., accountability, modernization). The field of sport policy and politics is characterized by a breadth of theoretical perspectives that fall broadly within pluralist, institutional, and ideational approaches. These approaches are discussed in light of their merits and potential contributions toward understanding policy processes, program implementation, and policy outcomes. The chapter concludes with a consideration of future scholarship priorities at the nexus of sport, politics, and policy.