Generation Of Rationality Of Online Public Discussion And Its Implications

In the21st century, the relationship of Internet and civil society in China has become an important topic in the academic community. Whether and how Internet can facilitate the growth of civil society in China, and whether "online civil society" or "cyber public sphere" is emerging in China is under debated. This paper argues that when Chinese Internet users discussing public issues, whether and to what extent they are rational or deliberate, to a certain extent, determines the effect of online supervision of governments and online political participation, as well as the prospect of "online civil society" or "cyber public sphere". Therefore, the research of rationality of online public discussion has important significance.Online rationality is a multi-dimensional and multi-level concept which can be divided into formal rationality and substantive rationality, discussants'rationality and viewers' rationality, rationality of speech and rationality in action, individual rationality and collective rationality. Among them, substantive rationality of the individual Internet users plays a most fundamental role, so, this paper makes a measurement of it.In Chinese Internet,"CD" and "CCH" are two rational online communities. Their common features including respecting the facts, arguing by data and logic, tolerating multiple perspectives, avoiding extreme positions, etc. In addition to that,"CCH" is famous of calm and friendly atmosphere and depth of original thought. The discovery of these two rational online communities, as an objective fact, means that the generation of online rationality is possible.Next, using grounded theory methodology, this paper continues the study of "CD" and "CCH" in a more comprehensive way, and discovers a grounded theory of "disciplining confrontation" about the generation of online rationality. That means, first, in an online community, confrontational discussion must be facilitated in a highly equal and free manner, and secondly, the parties involved in confrontational discussion face the discipline mechanism(regulating, guiding, disciplining and training), and learn how to debate with others in an acceptable way. When this kind of discipline mechanism can run continuously, it promotes the generation of online rationality."Disciplining confrontation" has good applicability and universality that can explain why the degrees of online rationality in various communities are different.Internet censorship also play a role in the generation of online rationality. The existing Internet censorship is very strict, rigid, conservative, and low transparent, which is harmful to the generation of online rationality. By affecting online communities' survival, Internet censorship compels them to implement a strict self-censorship, at the same time, blocks certain topics and content, this not only makes Internet users lost opportunities for self-development of rationality in a heated discussion context, but also stimulates the rumors and other non-rational speech.The spontaneously generation of online rationality has important implications. It reflects a kind of good spirit of autonomy or capabilities of self-management embedded in Internet users and online communities, also, it is a reflection of endogenous forces in civil society, which means Internet as a possible path of Chinese civil society development. Lastly, it means necessary to loosen and improve Internet censorship.