网络对民主的促进作用及其限度

网络具有自由、平等、开放的属性,对我国民主建设具有重要的影响。它保障民众知情权及表达权的实现,拓宽民众的民主参与渠道,强化民众的民主监督力量,同时大大地降低民主活动的成本。但网络在促进民主方面的局限性也不容忽视：网络民主是形式民主,并非实质民主,其作用的发挥具有严重依赖官方的特点,同时网络民主也可能会导致非理性的泛滥,甚至出现＂网络暴民绑架民意＂的现象。网络提供了民主的新形式,扩大了民主的广度和深度,将成为我国政治体制改革的催化剂。

The Positive Impact of Network on Democracy and Its Limitation

Network has the connotation of freedom、equality and openness,which exerts great impact on China＇s building of democracy.It can facilitate the realization of people＇s right to know and to express,broaden the channel of democratic participation,strengthen democratic supervision,and simultaneously has greatly reduced the cost of democratic activity.However,the limitations of network in promoting democracy can not be ignored：network democracy is a kind of formal democracy,not democracy in a real sense since its functioning is highly dependent on the authorities.Meanwhile,network democracy may also lead to irrational flooding,and even the phenomenon of＂network mob kidnapping public opinion＂.Network offers a new form of democracy by expanding the breadth and depth of democracy which will become catalyst of political reform.