Has Britain lost its Underdog?

When watching Nadal and Davydenko fight it out for a spot in the final stages of the ATP tournament, the insuppressible question that came to mind was “has England lost its popularly conceived affection for the underdog?” The overt favoritism of Nadal by the crowd (namely the incredibly vocal female contingent) was so tangible it left Davydenko apologizing: "I know so many of you were supporting Nadal - I'm sorry about this one!” Davydenko may not have been the underdog once play started in earnest, but he was certainly seen to hold that position before the players arrived on court. Why then did he fail to elicit the requisite British support served up with earnest enthusiasm for those with the worse prospects?

The perception of the British mentality has been, and continues to be, that they love nothing more than an underdog. This is aptly shown in A Fish Called Wanda in which the American character (Kevin Kline) remonstrates the English mindset, stating, “you know what your problem is? You don’t like winners!” It is a phenomenon noted by Mia Gilson in her retrospective look at the British culture she traded for America, the public “take heart in cheering for the losing side, and even greater heart when their support rallies their chosen one to victory. But this is not just related to sports- just have a look at comedy, politics, arts, pretty much every genre you can think of wallows in glorying pity for the one who should have no chance of success”.

It seems strange then to note that this cherished cultural weakness for the underdog may be waning. Even the “Sergeant effect” of last year’s Strictly Come Dancing seems to be wearing off. The overwhelming support he received came despite his consistent inability that landed him with the lowest marks in the competition. Perhaps we can blame the economic climate for the overriding sense of a society embattled, and the universal sense of victimization. This is something felt by, not only those in the lower rungs of economic prosperity, but, more than ever, by those at the top facing the economic and social pressures the downturn has produced. The society of today is gripped in a battle for ‘justice’, something Michael Sandel touched on in his lecture to the LSE. He discussed the ‘populist rage’ surrounding bailouts and subsidization as not simply fuelled by fairness in a monetary sense, but rather a deeper issue; an Aristotelian view of justice as giving people that which is deserved in accordance with their virtues. There seems to me to be an overriding emphasis on this necessity for justice across the board in society, filtering into business, politics, and aspects of popular culture.

However, there have always been those who supported the popular, the strong support amongst many of my generation for Manchester United serves to display this very point. And it is not always without merit. But there seems to be a feeling that this blind disregard for those with the worst odds is somehow quintessentially not British. The American worship of success is much more closely reflected in the desire to back the popular, the winner. Perhaps this is based in the contrasting backgrounds of the American and English psyche. Where Britain traditionally (at least in recent history) saw itself as a small country who were themselves the underdog, fighting in the face of failure, the oft mentioned ‘American dream’ perpetuated a sense of ‘can-do’ spirit; of success as within reach for all American citizens if they simply choose to attain it. It is entirely possible that there is a schism forming between those with more traditional values and those who instead choose to propagate the message of the modern ‘popularity culture’, there will always be those who support the Nadals of this world, but I’d like to believe society isn’t entirely crumbling to modernity.

It is hard to say with any certainty if this relic of traditional British identity is in the decline, perhaps there is simply an emphasis on the right person winning. Despite conflicts with the unbending popular support of some, there is an enduring sense in which society seems to be, on the whole, seeking the fair and just end. Whether we are economically depressed and embodying an international malady of spirits, or succumbing to the glaring lights of success, I think the truth of the matter lies in the fact that we are a society, as ever, in flux. For those wishing to see the continuance of this ‘British facet’, I can only suggest turning to Wimbledon for the inevitable revival of good, old-fashioned optimism, in the face of the Williams sisters and their similarly brawny contemporaries. Come on Tim!

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