Citizenship: A Very Short Introduction

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OUP Oxford, Sep 25, 2008 - Political Science - 152 pages
Interest in citizenship has never been higher. But what does it mean to be a citizen of a modern, complex community? Why is citizenship important? Can we create citizenship, and can we test for it? In this fascinating Very Short Introduction, Richard Bellamy explores the answers to these questions and more in a clear and accessible way. He approaches the subject from a political perspective, to address the complexities behind the major topical issues. Discussing the main models of citizenship, exploring how ideas of citizenship have changed through time from ancient Greece to the present, and examining notions of rights and democracy, he reveals the irreducibly political nature of citizenship today. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
 

Contents

1 What is citizenship and why does it matter?
1
2 Theories of citizenship and their history
27
3 Membership and belonging
52
4 Rights and the right to have rights
78
5 Participation and democracy
97
Further reading
124
Index
129
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About the author (2008)

Richard Bellamy is a Professor of Political Science and Director of the School of Public Policy at University College, London. He has written 6 monographs to date, edited or co-edited a further 20 volumes and is the author of over a 100 journal articles and book chapters. His main books include Modern Italian Social Theory: Ideology and Politics from Pareto to the Present; Liberalism and Modern Society: An Historical Argument; Liberalism and Pluralism: Towards a Politics of Compromise and, as co-editor, Constitutionalism in Transformation: European and Theoretical Perspectives. He regularly appears on TV and radio, and has written for newspapers including The Guardian and The Times Literary Supplement.

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