What do you think?
Rate this book
Very Short Introductions #192
Citizenship: A Very Short Introduction
Interest in citizenship has never been higher. Politicians of all stripes stress its importance, as do church leaders, captains of industry and every kind of campaigning group--from those supporting global causes, such as tackling world poverty, to others with a largely local focus, such as combating neighborhood crime. In this brilliant, compact introduction, Richard Bellamy offers an eye-opening look at an idea that is as important as it is rare--the prospect of influencing government policy according to reasonably fair rules and on a more or less equal basis with others. Bringing together the most recent scholarship, the book sheds light on how ideas of citizenship have changed through time from ancient Greece to the present, looks at concepts such as membership and belonging, and highlights the relation between citizenship, rights, and democracy. Bellamy also examines the challenges confronting the very possibility of citizenship today, the impact of globalization, the desirability of "global citizenship," the teaching of citizenship in schools, citizenship tests for immigrants, and the many different definitions and types of citizenship in modern society.
About the Series: Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam.
About the Series: Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
33 people are currently reading
564 people want to read
About the author
Richard Bellamy
30 books7 followersRichard Bellamy was born in Glasgow, though he is not of Scottish descent - both his parents came from Liverpool. The family moved to near London when he was 2, by way of a 6 month period on the beach near Pisa, where his father was working at the Institute of Physics. Though he did return to Glasgow 16 years later to work as a community service volunteer (CSV) prior to University, those few idyllic months in Italy left a profound impression and many of his writings engage with the Italian tradition of political thought. The family also spent periods in California (while his father was at Stanford) and Geneva (where his father worked at CERN).
Richard studied history at Cambridge and did his PhD there and at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence. He was a post doctoral research fellow at Nuffield College Oxford, a temporary lecturer in history at Cambridge and then moved to a lectureship in politics at Edinburgh. He has held Chairs at UEA, Reading, Essex and University College, London (UCL), where he was founding head of the Political Science Department and also set up the European Institute. From 2014-2019 he was Director of the Max Weber Post-doctoral programme at the EUI, on extended leave from his position at UCL to which he has now returned. He has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Exeter and at the Hertie School in Berlin, where he was Professor of Ethics and Public Policy and is now a Senior Fellow.
The author of 11 monographs and the editor of a further 30 books, most of his work combines history, politics, law and philosophy to different degrees. He has written extensively on the development of, and challenges to, democracy, citizenship and constitutionalism in modern societies, particularly in Europe and most recently in relation to the European Union. He is presently working on books on constitutional theory and on democratic ethics.
He lives and works between London, Exeter, Berlin and Livorno. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS) and of the British Academy (FBA). Further information about Richard can be found on his website (see link above).
Richard studied history at Cambridge and did his PhD there and at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence. He was a post doctoral research fellow at Nuffield College Oxford, a temporary lecturer in history at Cambridge and then moved to a lectureship in politics at Edinburgh. He has held Chairs at UEA, Reading, Essex and University College, London (UCL), where he was founding head of the Political Science Department and also set up the European Institute. From 2014-2019 he was Director of the Max Weber Post-doctoral programme at the EUI, on extended leave from his position at UCL to which he has now returned. He has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Exeter and at the Hertie School in Berlin, where he was Professor of Ethics and Public Policy and is now a Senior Fellow.
The author of 11 monographs and the editor of a further 30 books, most of his work combines history, politics, law and philosophy to different degrees. He has written extensively on the development of, and challenges to, democracy, citizenship and constitutionalism in modern societies, particularly in Europe and most recently in relation to the European Union. He is presently working on books on constitutional theory and on democratic ethics.
He lives and works between London, Exeter, Berlin and Livorno. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS) and of the British Academy (FBA). Further information about Richard can be found on his website (see link above).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 14, 2022
What Is Citizenship?
Written for the "A Very Short Introduction" series of Oxford University Press, Richard Bellamy's "Citizenship" (2008) offers a challenging introduction to the nature of citizenship and to why it is important. Bellamy, Professor of Political Science and Director of the School of Public Policy at University College, London, has written widely on citizenship, political philosophy, and government.
Although a "very short introduction", Bellamy's book is difficult and learned. It also presents Bellamy's own informed understanding of citizenship rather than rehashing the literature for beginners. Due to its brevity, the book does not develop its arguments as fully or clearly as it might. Bellamy has the lecturer's habit of outlining and presenting his points (i.e. this is so for three reasons, 1, 2.3) and not elaborating. The book also includes a great deal of repetition and cross-referencing from chapter to chapter which tends to make it ponderous. Thus, Bellamy's study is not an easy "very short introduction" but rather requires close reading and attention. With its difficulties, the book offers an insightful understanding of citizenship.
Bellamy argues that citizenship is closely connected to participation in government and to democracy. The crux of modern citizenship, for Bellamy, is the right to vote. He points to a growing apathy and skepticism about democracy and voting in developed countries such as the United States and Great Britain and seeks to combat this regrettable tendency by explaining the value of citizenship.
In his opening chapter. Bellamy offers an exposition of the nature of citizenship which he expands upon in the remainder of the work. Bellamy argues that citizenship is primarily a political (rather than legal) concept and that it has three components: membership, rights, and participation. He offers the following somewhat cumbersome definition.
"Citizenship is a condition of civic equality. It consists of membership of a political community where all citizens can determine the terms of social cooperation on an equal basis. This status not only secures equal rights to the enjoyment of the collective goods provided by the political association but also involves equal duties to promote and sustain them -- including the good of democratic citizenship itself."
The crux of citizenship is participation in the political process with the goal of defining the nature of rights and providing for their implementation. Rights, in this analysis, are not abstractions but instead are correlative with the duties of individuals to participate in the process. The definition of citizenship needs a definition of who are entitled to be citizens and of what entities.
Bellamy offers a historical overview of various concepts of citizenship beginning with the Greeks and Romans. He discusses the ways in which the concept changed slowly with the development of the modern state. The class of citizens gradually expanded from free men, in the Greek polis, to include those without property, women, and people of minority nationality in a community. He offers a telling observation about this expansion: "there has been a general reversal of assumptions; instead of private autonomy being the basis of public autonomy in the political realm, political participation and the regulation of the private sphere have become the guarantees of personal freedom". He argues that feminism, for example, can better be viewed as part of a long-term trend towards inclusion in the concept of citizenship as opposed to a separate, distinctive ideological position.
Bellamy discusses the tension that arises between a state-based concept of citizenship on the one hand and the rise of globalization and multi-culturalism on the other hand. He argues for the importance of state citizenship largely on grounds that individual participation and feeling of responsibility becomes remote in a larger arena. He also argues that a sense of nationalism and cohesiveness is important to guard against despotism.
In his concluding chapter, Bellamy discusses how democracy, a two-party system, and a voting electorate, whose members must choose between parties offering positions on a host of issues (rather than deciding each issue by itself in a referendum, for example) increases the value and the worth of participatory democracy. Bellamy concludes: "Citizenship informs and gives effect to central features of our social morality. It underlies our whole sense of self-worth, affecting in the process the way we treat others and are treated by them. It stands behind the commitment to rights and the appreciation of cultural diversity that are among the central moral achievements of the late 20th and early 21st centuries."
Bellamy has written a rewarding, brief book for readers with a strong interest in citizenship and government. There is no reason why a "very short introduction" is necessarily easy. A readers guide to the book may be found online which poses provocative questions that it is the goal of the book to help the reader think about and answer.
Robin Friedman
Written for the "A Very Short Introduction" series of Oxford University Press, Richard Bellamy's "Citizenship" (2008) offers a challenging introduction to the nature of citizenship and to why it is important. Bellamy, Professor of Political Science and Director of the School of Public Policy at University College, London, has written widely on citizenship, political philosophy, and government.
Although a "very short introduction", Bellamy's book is difficult and learned. It also presents Bellamy's own informed understanding of citizenship rather than rehashing the literature for beginners. Due to its brevity, the book does not develop its arguments as fully or clearly as it might. Bellamy has the lecturer's habit of outlining and presenting his points (i.e. this is so for three reasons, 1, 2.3) and not elaborating. The book also includes a great deal of repetition and cross-referencing from chapter to chapter which tends to make it ponderous. Thus, Bellamy's study is not an easy "very short introduction" but rather requires close reading and attention. With its difficulties, the book offers an insightful understanding of citizenship.
Bellamy argues that citizenship is closely connected to participation in government and to democracy. The crux of modern citizenship, for Bellamy, is the right to vote. He points to a growing apathy and skepticism about democracy and voting in developed countries such as the United States and Great Britain and seeks to combat this regrettable tendency by explaining the value of citizenship.
In his opening chapter. Bellamy offers an exposition of the nature of citizenship which he expands upon in the remainder of the work. Bellamy argues that citizenship is primarily a political (rather than legal) concept and that it has three components: membership, rights, and participation. He offers the following somewhat cumbersome definition.
"Citizenship is a condition of civic equality. It consists of membership of a political community where all citizens can determine the terms of social cooperation on an equal basis. This status not only secures equal rights to the enjoyment of the collective goods provided by the political association but also involves equal duties to promote and sustain them -- including the good of democratic citizenship itself."
The crux of citizenship is participation in the political process with the goal of defining the nature of rights and providing for their implementation. Rights, in this analysis, are not abstractions but instead are correlative with the duties of individuals to participate in the process. The definition of citizenship needs a definition of who are entitled to be citizens and of what entities.
Bellamy offers a historical overview of various concepts of citizenship beginning with the Greeks and Romans. He discusses the ways in which the concept changed slowly with the development of the modern state. The class of citizens gradually expanded from free men, in the Greek polis, to include those without property, women, and people of minority nationality in a community. He offers a telling observation about this expansion: "there has been a general reversal of assumptions; instead of private autonomy being the basis of public autonomy in the political realm, political participation and the regulation of the private sphere have become the guarantees of personal freedom". He argues that feminism, for example, can better be viewed as part of a long-term trend towards inclusion in the concept of citizenship as opposed to a separate, distinctive ideological position.
Bellamy discusses the tension that arises between a state-based concept of citizenship on the one hand and the rise of globalization and multi-culturalism on the other hand. He argues for the importance of state citizenship largely on grounds that individual participation and feeling of responsibility becomes remote in a larger arena. He also argues that a sense of nationalism and cohesiveness is important to guard against despotism.
In his concluding chapter, Bellamy discusses how democracy, a two-party system, and a voting electorate, whose members must choose between parties offering positions on a host of issues (rather than deciding each issue by itself in a referendum, for example) increases the value and the worth of participatory democracy. Bellamy concludes: "Citizenship informs and gives effect to central features of our social morality. It underlies our whole sense of self-worth, affecting in the process the way we treat others and are treated by them. It stands behind the commitment to rights and the appreciation of cultural diversity that are among the central moral achievements of the late 20th and early 21st centuries."
Bellamy has written a rewarding, brief book for readers with a strong interest in citizenship and government. There is no reason why a "very short introduction" is necessarily easy. A readers guide to the book may be found online which poses provocative questions that it is the goal of the book to help the reader think about and answer.
Robin Friedman
April 21, 2011
The problem of citizenship is as old as politics itself, since it deals with the most fundamental political question: who gets to participate in politics and to what extent. In fact, as this book shows, citizenship existed in many forms even before politics as we think of it did, and will likely outlive it. Richard Bellamy takes us through history of what citizenship meant in different cultures, and how different models of citizenship dominated under different political arrangements. He draws a distinction between ancient Greek participatory citizenship, in which all able-bodied citizens of the city-state were expected to participate in political affairs, and a more legal citizenship that was the predominant form in Roman state. In a more modern context, Bellamy does not advocate the dissemination and abandonment of nation-states, but recognizes their importance for the sake competitiveness between different political arrangements. He also stresses the importance of democracy for the development of proper civic sense on the part of citizens, and dismisses cynic who have been denouncing the merits of democracy, however imperfect it may be, for the sake of the healthy sense of citizenship.
Overall, this is a well-written account of the meaning of citizenship, past and present. It provides a new way of thinking about the subject and challenges several preconceived notions about what are the essential ingredients in making of a good citizen.
Overall, this is a well-written account of the meaning of citizenship, past and present. It provides a new way of thinking about the subject and challenges several preconceived notions about what are the essential ingredients in making of a good citizen.
November 21, 2024
The British Political Scientist Richard Bellamy published Citizenship: A Very Short Introduction in 2008. The book has illustrations. The book has a section for “further reading” (Bellamy 124-128). The book has an index. The book defines citizenship as “a condition of civic equality. It consists of membership in a political community where all citizens can determine the terms of social cooperation on an equal basis. This status secures not only equal rights to the enjoyment of the collective goods provided by the political association but also involves equal duties to promote and sustain them-including the good of democratic citizenship itself” (Bellamy 17). Bellamy writes, “In large part, the contemporary concern with citizenship can be seen as reflecting the view that we are currently witnessing a further transformation of political community, and so of citizenship, produced by the twin and related impacts of globalization and multiculturalism” (Bellamy 2). The second chapter examines the history of theories of citizenship. The book explores the classical roots of the concept of Citizenship developed in Ancient Greece and Rome (Bellamy 28). The book is short but contains a great deal of thoughtful political philosophy. The book was a well-done book on citizenship. Bellamy believes that citizenship is the key to a well-functioning democracy. The book examines the different theories about citizenship, including the idea of global citizenship. I read the book on my Kindle. Bellamy’s book is a thoughtful exploration of the concept of citizenship.
February 23, 2019
A concise, useful, summary introduction to a sometimes abstract and nebulous concept. The author's view is that citizenship is very much tied to the 'political' (and, to a lesser extent, the 'legal'), but I was disappointed that he doesn't say a great deal about the 'social' aspect of citizenship as famously elucidated by T. H. Marshall.
Nonetheless, for me this was a welcome start to a more in-depth study of citizenship, and I am now beginning to reflect on how citizenship relates to both my professional practice and political activity. It is notable, however, that this book was published in 2008 - a lot has happened in the decade since which has profound implications for the nature of citizenship.
Nonetheless, for me this was a welcome start to a more in-depth study of citizenship, and I am now beginning to reflect on how citizenship relates to both my professional practice and political activity. It is notable, however, that this book was published in 2008 - a lot has happened in the decade since which has profound implications for the nature of citizenship.
May 6, 2021
Good introduction, sparked some interesting ideas. But seems a little status quo biased, all of his argumentation quite conveniently end up justifying how it is presently practiced in the West, while sometimes not being as conclusive as Bellamy makes them out to be. He does convey some interesting ideas though.
I would have preferred to see his theses supported by citations, but I believe that is a general drawback of the "Very short introduction series".
I would have preferred to see his theses supported by citations, but I believe that is a general drawback of the "Very short introduction series".
December 9, 2019
A very short guide to the concept of citizenship from a global perspective. Much has changed in the world in the ensuing 11 years since its publication in 2008, but I found it a good, if rather dry, overview of the issues driving international migration.
August 2, 2020
The usual "Love Your Leaders" sort of propaganda I have come to expect from "A Very Short Introduction" series. Nothing special. No reason, just a rehash of the governmental pamphlet.
December 18, 2021
This is 7th grade social studies! Seriously?! Do better people!!! The author of this book is on Goodreads but then… sorry not sorry!
May 11, 2023
Excellent overview but sometimes a bit hard to follow the train of thought.
Nevertheless a good starting point for everybody who wants to know more about citizenship.
Nevertheless a good starting point for everybody who wants to know more about citizenship.
May 12, 2014
A vital book on an important issue
May 29, 2014
An intriguing and rather abstract subject, unfortunately not all that well explained here.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews