Just like the Roman Empire with the Gladiator fights in the Colliseum
Bread and Circuses to keep the masses distracted from the real problems of the day.
I'm amazed real gladiatorial competitions haven't come back... yet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladiator
Or Rollerball....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rollerball_%281975_film%29
