After looking up the definitions of Citizenship from various sources, I went to Wikipedia to see if there was a universally agreed upon list of duties a citizen is required to perform. Let’s see what I found.
Wikipedia:
Citizenship is a relationship between an individual and a state to which the individual owes allegiance and in turn is entitled to its protection.
Each state determines the conditions under which it will recognize persons as its citizens, and the conditions under which that status will be withdrawn. Recognition by a state as a citizen generally carries with it recognition of civil, political, and social rights which are not afforded to non-citizens.
In general, the basic rights normally regarded as arising from citizenship are the right to a passport, the right to leave and return to the country/ies of citizenship, the right to live in that country, and to work there.
Some countries permit their citizens to have multiple citizenships, while others insist on exclusive allegiance.
Interesting Points:
Basic rights that are typical:
- Right to a passport
- Right to leave the country and return to the country
- Right to live in that country
- Right to work in that country
But the only ‘duty’ outlined is ‘allegiance.’
History of citizenship …[ Athenian citizenship] generally describes the relation between a person and an overall political entity such as a city-state or nation and signifies membership in that body. It is often based on, or a function of, some form of military service or expectation of future military service. It is generally characterized by some form of political participation, although the extent of such participation can vary considerably from minimal duties such as voting to active service in government.
…Athenian citizenship was based on obligations of citizens towards the community rather than rights given to its members.
… [Athenian] Citizens had certain rights and duties: the rights included the chance to speak and vote in the common assembly, to stand for public office, to serve as jurors, to be protected by the law, to own land, and to participate in public worship; duties included an obligation to obey the law, and to serve in the armed forces which could be “costly” in terms of buying or making expensive war equipment or in risking one’s own life, according to Hosking.
…Rome offered relatively generous terms to its captives, including chances for captives to have a “second category of Roman citizenship“. Conquered peoples could not vote in the Roman assembly but had full protections of the law, and could make economic contracts and could marry Roman citizens.
… duties to pay taxes, obey the law, engage in business transactions, and defend the nation if it comes under attack, but are essentially passive politically.
Interesting Points:
Citizenship as a relationship between the individual and the state
Basic rights that are typical:
- Right speak in the common assembly
- Right to vote
- Right to stand for public office
- Right to serve as jurors (this is seen as a duty today!)
- To be protected by the law, to own land, and to participate in public worship
Duties:
- Military service
- Political participation – though degree varies widely
- Voting
- Active service in government
- Make economic contracts
- Engage in business transactions
- Obey the law
Surprisingly, I’ve so far found very little useful information to determine definitively what must one do to be considered a ‘good’ citizen. This list is at least more robust than what’s found in the dictionary, but it’s at least something.
My amended Citizens List of Duties has now grown a few lines bigger.
Maybe looking up “what is a good citizen?” might provide more?
Photo by Oberon Copeland @veryinformed.com on Unsplash
Leave a Reply