202년 촛불시위는 80-90년대 대중운동과 상이한 운동이라는 평가가 제기되고 있다. 이 글에서 한국 사회에서 정보화가 급속히 진전된 이후 ‘네티즌’에 의한 새로운 대중운동의 조직화라고 볼 수 있는 촛불시위가 과연 과거 대중운동과 질적으로 차별적인 변화를 가져왔는가를 검토한다. 참여 주체의 다층성, 온라인에 기반을 둔 대중의 자기조직화 등의 측면에서 촛불시위는 분명히 과거와 구분되는 대중운동 방식이었다. 하지만 촛불시위의 의제, 민족주의라는 대중이데올로기의 존재, 기존 운동진영과의 관계 설정 등으로 볼 때 촛불시위를 과거 운동과 구분되는 신사회운동이나 다중에 의한 자율운동이라고만 평가하기는 어렵다. 운동 참여주체, 조직화 방식에서 촛불시위는 새로운 사회운동으로서 성격을 지녔지만, 운동의제와 쟁점에 있어서 과거 사회운동의 유산으로부터 완전히 자유롭지 못한 ‘과도기적 운동’이었다.

The candle demonstration in 2002 was diferent kinds of social movement comparing with social movement in 1980's and 1990's. This paper analyses how candle demonstration was organized by netizen in information society and this movement ocurred qualitative changes comparing with social movement in the past. In point of multiplicity of participant, self-organization of masses based on internet, candle demonstration was different types of mass movement. But agenda of movement, existence of nationalism, relationship of existing social movement shows other problems of candle demonstration. That is to say, the candle demonstration was not yet new social movement or autonomous movement based on multitude which was occurred in the western society.

The candle demonstration in 2002 was diferent kinds of social movement comparing with social movement in 1980's and 1990's. This paper analyses how candle demonstration was organized by netizen in information society and this movement ocurred qualitative changes comparing with social movement in the past. In point of multiplicity of participant, self-organization of masses based on internet, candle demonstration was different types of mass movement. But agenda of movement, existence of nationalism, relationship of existing social movement shows other problems of candle demonstration. That is to say, the candle demonstration was not yet new social movement or autonomous movement based on multitude which was occurred in the western society.

Candle Demonstration, Information Society, Netizen, Flag Debate, Multitude, New Social Movement