Demonstrations and displacement: social impact and the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Mega-events engender positive and negative impacts for host communities, including economic, social/cultural, and environmental. Host community residents have grown weary of the financial investments and have demonstrated concerns of increased taxation and cost of living. These two impacts are juxtaposed as Brazil prepares to host the 2016 Summer Olympics after hosting the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Concerns about the mismanagement of funds and increased taxes have led to numerous protests, several including violent clashes between protestors and security officials, which flooded the international media prior to the World Cup. Following the methods of previous research, we reviewed international media coverage of the protests to develop a comprehensive understanding of what the impact hosting the mega-event may have had on international perceptions of Brazil. Further, we analyzed the response(s) by the local and national governments as well as the response of Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Results indicated the protests and media coverage largely focused on the negative impacts associated with hosting mega-events. The government response was largely combative; however, some concessions and policy changes were made to satiate protestors, while FIFA largely focused on the success and implementation of the World Cup.