Class 11 political theory chapter 6 citizenship notes

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Citizenship 

Introduction

• Citizenship is defined as full and equal membership in a political community.
• In the modern world, states give their citizens a collective political identity along with certain rights, enabling people to identify as Indians, Japanese, Germans, etc., based on their state of belonging.
• Citizens expect their state to provide rights, assistance, and protection within and outside their country.
• In democracies, citizenship rights typically include:

Political rights: Right to vote and participate in governance.

Civil rights: Freedom of speech, belief, and expression.

Socio-economic rights: Right to education, minimum wages, and healthcare.

• The equality of rights and status is foundational to the idea of citizenship. However, these rights were achieved through prolonged struggles, including:

The French Revolution (1789) in Europe, which fought for equality and justice.  

Anti-colonial movements in Asia and Africa, where demands for equal citizenship were intertwined with struggles for independence.

The South African apartheid struggle, where black Africans fought for equal citizenship rights, which they secured only in the early 1990s.

• Citizenship extends beyond the state-citizen relationship; it includes mutual responsibilities between citizens to create a cohesive society.

Full and Equal Membership

• A fundamental right of citizenship is freedom of movement, enabling individuals to relocate within or outside their country for better opportunities.
• Migration for labor is common when jobs are scarce locally. However, it can lead to tensions:

Local populations may oppose "outsiders" occupying jobs, sometimes at lower wages, leading to organized violence against migrants.

Attitudes towards migrants vary; skilled and affluent migrants are often welcomed, while poor migrants face hostility.

• These issues spark debates about what constitutes "full and equal membership" for citizens.
• Democracies allow for protests, ensuring the right to expression, provided such protests do not harm others or disrupt public order.
• Disputes should be resolved through negotiation and dialogue, respecting democratic principles. This approach helps maintain societal harmony while addressing conflicts fairly.

Equal Rights

Slum Dwellers

• Every Indian city has a significant population of slum dwellers who:

Perform essential low-wage work that supports the urban economy.

Live in unsafe, insecure environments with poor living conditions.

• Despite their contributions, slum dwellers are often marginalized and viewed as "unwelcome" by city residents.
• Efforts are growing to address their plight: 

Governments, NGOs, and the slum-dwellers themselves are becoming more aware of their rights.

Slum-dwellers are organizing and demanding better living conditions and equal opportunities.

Tribal People

• Tribal communities and forest dwellers face challenges in maintaining their traditional ways of life due to: 

Dependence on forests and natural resources for survival.

Pressure from commercial interests such as mining and tourism that threaten their livelihoods.

• Governments grapple with balancing economic development and the preservation of tribal habitats and cultures, seeking sustainable solutions to protect these vulnerable groups.

Complex Equal Rights

• Ensuring equal rights for all citizens is complex due to differing needs and interests: 

For instance, policies benefiting one group might conflict with the rights of another.

Equal rights do not require identical treatment; rather, policies must be tailored to address the unique challenges of each group.

• Citizenship laws, while fixed in principle, evolve over time to accommodate social, cultural, and political changes.
• The government’s primary responsibility is to uphold equal rights and protections for all citizens, ensuring inclusivity and fairness.

Citizen and Nation

• The modern nation-state concept links territorial boundaries with shared culture, history, and identity.
• National identity is expressed through symbols like flags, anthems, and languages.
• Democratic states aim to foster inclusive identities that accommodate diverse populations: 

France is a secular nation that emphasizes assimilation into its national culture while allowing personal beliefs in private spheres.

Countries like Israel and Germany prioritize ethnic or religious factors in their citizenship laws.

• India is a secular, democratic state that promotes inclusivity:  

Citizenship is acquired by birth, descent, registration, naturalization, or inclusion of territories. 

The provisions about citizenship in the constitution can be found in part 2 and in subsequent laws passed by parliament

Discrimination based on religion, caste, gender, race, or place of birth is prohibited.

Linguistic and religious minorities are granted constitutional protections.

• Despite these inclusive policies, struggles for equal citizenship persist:

Movements led by women, Dalits, and displaced communities demand recognition of their rights as citizens.

• Celebratory events like Republic Day demonstrate India’s efforts to embrace its diversity.

Universal Citizenship

• States often claim to promote universal citizenship but set specific criteria for granting it.
• These criteria are outlined in national constitutions and laws.

• Stateless People and Refugees: 

Displaced individuals due to war, persecution, or famine often become stateless, forced to live in camps or as illegal migrants.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) works globally to address these issues.

• Some countries, including India, have a tradition of granting asylum to persecuted individuals, such as the Dalai Lama and Tibetan refugees in 1959.
• However, states remain cautious about admitting large numbers of refugees due to concerns about economic strain and security risks.

Global Citizenship

• In today’s interconnected world, the concept of global citizenship highlights shared responsibilities across national boundaries.

Modern communication tools like the internet and television create global awareness and interconnectedness.

• Advocates of global citizenship cite events like international aid during the Asian tsunami as evidence of a growing sense of global solidarity.
• Challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and terrorism require cooperative action from multiple nations.
• Global citizenship complements national citizenship by fostering international cooperation and mutual understanding among diverse populations.

Conclusion

Citizenship encompasses not just a legal status but a dynamic relationship involving rights, responsibilities, and collective identities. It requires governments to strike a balance between inclusivity, equality, and the diverse needs of citizens. 

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