Episode Summary: "Citizenship"

Podcast: Everything Everywhere Daily
Host: Gary Arndt | Glassbox Media
Release Date: November 16, 2024

Introduction to Citizenship

In the episode titled "Citizenship," Gary Arndt delves into the intricate and multifaceted concept of citizenship, challenging the notion that it is a straightforward status. He explores the historical evolution, legal frameworks, and contemporary issues surrounding citizenship, highlighting its significance in today's globalized world.

Historical Evolution of Citizenship

Gary begins by tracing the origins of citizenship back to ancient civilizations. He explains that for most of human history, individuals were considered subjects rather than citizens, lacking reciprocal rights from their sovereign rulers.

Gary Arndt [02:40]: "For most of human history, almost everyone was not a citizen of anything."

Ancient Greece and Rome:
The first semblance of citizenship emerged in the city-states of ancient Greece, such as Athens and Sparta around 500 B.C. Citizenship here was closely tied to individual rights, responsibilities, and active participation in civic life, albeit limited to a narrow class of freeborn men.

• Athenian Citizenship: In Athens, citizens could vote, participate in assemblies, and own land.
• Roman Citizenship: The Roman Republic and later the Empire expanded citizenship, initially confined to Rome but eventually encompassing all free inhabitants of the Empire by the Edict of Caracalla in 212 A.D.

Middle Ages:
During the Middle Ages, the concept of citizenship waned in Europe due to the dominance of feudal systems. However, it persisted in Italian city-states like Venice and Florence, where it was linked to social status and guild membership.

Age of Enlightenment:
The Enlightenment era marked a resurgence of citizenship concepts, emphasizing individual rights and the role of the state in protecting these rights. Philosophers like John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Baron de Montesquieu were pivotal in shaping modern ideas of citizenship through theories of social contracts and natural rights.

Gary Arndt [05:10]: "John Locke, who is often considered to be the father of liberal democracy, had a significant influence on the concept of citizenship."

Modern Era:
The late 18th century saw pivotal events such as the American Declaration of Independence and the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which redefined citizenship by emphasizing rights like liberty and property. The 19th and 20th centuries further solidified citizenship within nation-states, codifying it in national constitutions and legislation.

Theories of Citizenship Development

Gary outlines two primary theories regarding the development of modern citizenship:

1. Ancient Origins (Greece and Rome):
   Emphasizes the early establishment of citizenship tied to republics and legal protections.

2. Enlightenment and Modernization (18th Century Onwards):
   Focuses on the transformation of subjects into citizens through democratic principles and legal reforms.

Gary Arndt [06:55]: "The distinction between citizen and subject dissolved in the 20th century."

Modern Citizenship: Principles and Practices

Jus Soli vs. Jus Sanguinis:
Gary explains the two primary principles by which countries determine citizenship:

• Jus Soli (Right of the Soil):
  Citizenship is granted based on the place of birth, regardless of parental nationality. Predominantly practiced in the New World (North and South America), with Colombia being an exception.

  Gary Arndt [08:30]: "Jus soli is a principle where citizenship is granted to individuals born on the territory of the state, regardless of the nationality of their parents."

• Jus Sanguinis (Right of Blood):
  Citizenship is determined by having one or both parents (or even grandparents) who are citizens of the state. Common in the Old World (Europe, Africa, Asia), with few exceptions.

  Gary Arndt [07:10]: "Jus sanguinis emphasizes a blood relationship between the country and the individual."

Dual Citizenship:
While many countries permit dual citizenship, allowing individuals to hold citizenships of multiple nations, others restrict it. Gary highlights the arbitrary nature of these laws with examples:

• Allowed: Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany (with exceptions).
• Forbidden: Japan, India, the Netherlands (generally).

Gary Arndt [10:05]: "Dual citizenship can sometimes lead to very strange situations, such as former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's accidental US citizenship."

Statelessness and Its Global Impact

Gary addresses the issue of statelessness, where individuals lack legal nationality and the associated rights and protections. Factors contributing to statelessness include discrimination, dissolution of nations, and gaps in nationality laws.

Examples of Stateless Populations:

• Rohingya in Myanmar
• Ethnic Russians in Latvia
• Bedouins in Kuwait
• Haitians in the Dominican Republic
• Roma in Europe
• Nubians in Kenya

Gary Arndt [12:20]: "Stateless people lack legal nationality, which often deprives them of basic rights and access to essential services."

Historical and Current Efforts to Address Statelessness:

• Nansen Passport (1922):
  Introduced by Fridtjof Nansen to assist stateless refugees post-World War I and the Russian Revolution, allowing legal travel and employment.

  Gary Arndt [14:00]: "Nansen passports were designed to allow stateless people to legally cross borders, seek employment, and live in a foreign country."

• 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness:
  A United Nations treaty aimed at preventing and reducing statelessness by standardizing nationality laws. However, its effectiveness is limited as most countries have not ratified it.

• I Belong Campaign:
  Led by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, focusing on resolving existing statelessness cases and preventing new instances through improved nationality laws.

Conclusion

Gary Arndt wraps up the episode by reiterating the complexity of citizenship, highlighting its evolution from ancient concepts of subjects to the modern, multifaceted status that encompasses rights, responsibilities, and legal identities within nation-states. He underscores that while citizenship might seem inherent to most, it involves intricate legal and social dynamics that significantly impact individuals' lives globally.

Gary Arndt [20:45]: "For the vast majority of people, citizenship is just something that they were born with. However, for some, it's something that you can renounce, gain, have more than one of, or even none at all."

Notable Quotes

• On Historical Context:

  Gary Arndt [02:40]: "For most of human history, almost everyone was not a citizen of anything."

• On Dual Citizenship:

  Gary Arndt [10:05]: "Dual citizenship can sometimes lead to very strange situations, such as former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's accidental US citizenship."

• On Statelessness:

  Gary Arndt [12:20]: "Stateless people lack legal nationality, which often deprives them of basic rights and access to essential services."

• On Modern Complexity:

  Gary Arndt [20:45]: "For the vast majority of people, citizenship is just something that they were born with. However, for some, it's something that you can renounce, gain, have more than one of, or even none at all."

Additional Information

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Executive Producer: Charles Daniel
Associate Producers: Benji Long and Cameron Keever

This comprehensive exploration of citizenship by Gary Arndt provides listeners with a deep understanding of its historical roots, legal frameworks, and the ongoing challenges faced in the modern world. Whether you're a student, a curious mind, or someone interested in global affairs, this episode sheds light on the critical role citizenship plays in shaping individual identities and societal structures.