THEORIES OF CITIZENSHIP

Theories of Citizenship

Theories of Citizenship

Introduction

Citizenship involves being a legitimate member of the state, having duties to the state and enjoying state protection of their rights. Citizenship also provides the legal framework for associations within civil society. Citizenship is not only a legal status, but has economic repercussions and consequences.

(Smith, Rogers 2003, 62-78)

Marshall's Liberal Theory of Citizenship

Marshall outlined how citizens possessed three kinds of rights:

o Basic, civil rights: e.g., freedom of speech, free to own property, freedom to worship and equality of justice for all;

o political rights: e.g., right to vote and to stand for office; and social rights: e.g., social protection against poverty and for education and housing. (Smith, Rogers 2003, 62-78)

Yet, how can the inequality of capitalist civil society be reconciled with ethos of equality associated with citizenship of the state? In other words, capitalism generates real inequalities between the social classes and social groups, and how can this be squared with being formally equal as citizens?

Marx recognised that there was a contradictory relationship between the abstract equality of the state and the concrete inequality of civil society. He argued that the state reflects the class divisions of civil society - the state as an instrument of the ruling class. (Smith, Rogers 2003, 62-78)

Explanation

While, Marx welcomed the expansion of voting rights, only a revolutionary change could bring about real equality. Marx noted that while there was democracy in the political sphere, this was not extended to the factory or office life. Though, Marshall argued that the emergence of social rights modified the impact of inequalities in civil society. The development of the welfare state post-1945 brought to many people widespread social security, public health and public education. (Smith, Rogers 2003, 62-78)

However, the rise of neo-liberalism in 1970s heralded the 'rolling back' of the frontiers of the welfare state. Advocates of neo-liberalism argued that extensive social rights inhibited the development of capitalism, and hindered the entrepreneurial spirit in the civil society. In addition, social rights created a 'dependency culture', destroying individual self-reliance and work ethic. (Smith, Rogers 2003, 62-78)

''citizenship'' and why did it transform citizenship into a vehicle of ''liberation''

Many nationalist political movements — the 18th century American Revolution through the 20th century Palestinian Liberation struggle — emphasized national identity and citizenship to assert their right to self-determination and political autonomy from oppressive colonial states. But history is also rife with examples of nationalism used to oppress and remove minority, and sometimes majority, populations. At the same time, the liberal concept of citizenship based on a shared national identity offers the promise of overcoming religious and ethnic divisions. From the perspective of economically disadvantaged and oppressed sub-populations, however, the promise of inclusively and shared interests has fallen flat. (Somers, Margaret 2008, 122-45)

To ensure commitment, society can therefore "force one to be free." How is this free when you must abandon your own private will and submit to that of the majority? Since freedom correlates with autonomy and complete alienation from animal concern for oneself, upholding the commitments ...