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University of Surrey Issues in Politics Today

This article explores the origins and meaning of citizenship, including participation in public affairs, identity and inclusion/exclusion, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. It also delves into global citizenship, discussing universal human rights and the role of individuals in addressing global issues.

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University of Surrey Issues in Politics Today

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  1. University of SurreyIssues in Politics Today What is Citizenship?

  2. Outline • Origins of Citizenship • Participation in Public Affairs • Identity – Inclusion/Exclusion • What rights does a citizen have • Global Citizenship

  3. Citizenship • Concerned with membership of a political community • Relationship between individuals and a political community and between individuals • Rights & Responsibilities – but which rights and which responsibilities?

  4. Classical Origins of Citizenship • Originates in Ancient Greece – circa 700-600BC • Participation in the affairs of government • Roman conception – came to be more about legal status – way if integrating conquered peoples into the Empire

  5. Classical Origins of Citizenship II • Classical models raise 3 elements of citizenship which continue to be debated • Participation in public affairs • Inclusion/Exclusion – who is a citizen? • Rights – but which rights?

  6. 1. Participation in public affairs • Can take many forms – voting to jury duty • Concern about falling participation in many western democracies • In the UK – led to citizenship education classes • To be active participatory citizens – need to be informed about - the balance between rights & responsibilities - the value of participation in the community - the opportunities to participate

  7. 2. Identity – Inclusion/Exclusion • How to include people from diverse backgrounds • Equal rights for all? But do they accommodate cultural difference, or suppress it? • Multicultural rights – different rights to take account of and celebrate our difference? But common citizenship?

  8. 3. What rights does a citizen have? • Civil rights (civil liberties) • Political rights (to participate in process of government) • Social rights? • Some argue social rights are necessary for other rights to be enjoyed • Others argue we have obligation to provide for our own welfare & that social rights make us passive, not active citizens

  9. Global Citizenship • Citizenship at the national level • But what about Global Citizenship • Universal human rights – UN Declaration of Human Rights (1948) – rights no matter where you live • Global responsibilities – the environment • People participate & campaign on global issues (e.g. poverty in Africa) • Global citizenship lacks formal status – but has rights, responsibilities & participation

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