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Currently, esports, the sphere of competitive video game playing, has developed into a transcendent phenomenon affecting different spheres of people’s lives, including the sphere of international relations. Esports as a phenomenon is growing and as such is promoting relations between countries, cultures, and people in special and productive manners. This article looks into the social issues of esports in international relations while seeking to establish why the virtual battlefield is no laughing matter.
Esports have a profound influence on international relations in terms of raising a community of people all over the world. This means players and other lovers of the games from all over the world assemble to compete watch or pay tribute to the games they love. These globalization interactions can assist in eradicating prejudices of different cultures and the promotion of understanding among different people.
For instance, events that are on the global stage such as the League of Legends World Championship or The International of Dota 2 allow teams and supporters from worldwide. Such events are not only a battle on the field but also an awareness of people’s different cultures, languages, and points of view.
It was concluded that esports can act as an instrument of digital diplomacy. Today’s governments and leading organizations admit that esports can help promote cooperation between peoples of different countries. In other words, by backing and funding esports, nations stand to boost their soft power and gain more influence in cultural diplomacy all to foster good relations.
The Republic of Korea is one of the examples of a country that actively employs esports to improve its image in the world. Famous all over the world being the center of numerous tournaments, South Korea has become a home to Internet-sport participants and spectators. They inaugurate Korean culture, technology, and receptiveness to the world and help in certifying its standing.
Esports also produce educational and economic opportunities which, in turn, can positively influence international relations. Thanks to esports today, universities and educational institutions around the world are launching esports programs, and establishing cooperation with countries. Such programs include exchange, collaboration and research, and international competitions, that create awareness of academic and cultural diversity.
In addition, the extension of business benefits greatly from the establishments’ investment in esports. Sponsorship, advertising, merchandise, and tourism are some of the sources through which billions of dollars are generated by the industry. The governments of countries that have large esports competitions experience improved tourism and international investment thus enhancing the lives of their citizens all through positive international polity.
Containing the youth through esports is another way of making relations with other countries. Esports are popular with the young generation providing young talented people with a medium of communication, partnership, and competition internationally. Thus, this engagement may result in the social networking of enhanced global youth, with effective means to comprehend other countries’ cultures.
It also has the potential to solve some of the social problems through the inclusion of diversity. Companies such as Women in Gaming and all the organizations that advocate for the representation of underrepresented demographics in esports are effective solutions. Through promotion of diversity and talking about the issue of inclusion esports are beneficial to society and international relations.
Although the promotion of esports can facilitate the positive relationship among nations, there are considering factors’ of course. Some problems should be solved, for example, cyberbullying or harassment, and gender inequalities in the distribution of gaming resources. Moreover, politics sometimes brings impacts to the esports sector: there are cases that which political disputes influence the gaming competitions and players’ encounters.
Esports are not just fun; they represent a fantastic means of diplomatic relations between nations. Thus, establishing international connections, representing the world of diplomacy in the virtual space, providing educational and economic opportunities, and activating the youth’s interest – esports make the world a better place. Thus regarding the esports industry as continually developing, it is clear that it will play a crucial role in the development of intercultural relations, indicating the role of gaming when it comes to connecting people among nations. If esports can be the means of bringing the gaming community together which comprises a large part of the world’s population, then the future will be a much brighter one with more embracing, understanding, and tolerance.