Abstract

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Keywords:: populism; cyberspace; moral critique; pan-moralistic criticism on the Internet

Abstract:: The populist pan-moralistic criticism on the Internet is the trend of extreme populism emergingfrom the virtual community of the Internet. It is characterized by populism，spontaneity，irrationality andone-sidedness in methodology. This type of criticism tends to make personal interests override reasonablemorality and humanistic sympathy surpass law. There are three causes for this phenomenon：the comparativelyinadequate economic gain of the underprivileged class；the increased misunderstanding between the elitesand the masses；and the expediency in the policies to maintain social stability. It is advisable to be rationaland tolerant when dealing with the populist pan-moralistic criticisms on the Internet. Rather than giving thecriticisms unjustified labels imprudently，we have to follow the rule of cultural development and take thosecriticisms as an indispensable force for seeking truth and building a sound ideology. At the same time，themainstream media forces should firmly stick to the spirit of“ criticism in combination with self-criticism” andtake an active part in constructing and guiding the public opinion on the Internet.