Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship Module 7.2: Citizenship

What is Citizenship? Citizen v. Subject – Citizen a part of the Sovereign – Subjects subordinate to the Sovereign Citizen a member of the Body Politic – participant in the actions and processes thereof – Includes powers and duties

Citizenship in the USA Multiple citizenship classifications – United States – State Usually confused with state residency – Commonwealth e.g. Northern Marianas – Territory e.g. Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands – Protectorate e.g. Puerto Rico – Tribe e.g. Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Who is a Citizen of the United States? 14 th Amendment to the Constitution – Describes two necessary conditions Born or naturalized in the United States Subject to the jurisdiction of the United States Both conditions must be met before US citizenship is recognized 8 U.S.C. § 1401 defines US citizenship by statute – Implications One may be born on US soil and not be a citizen Citizenship by birthright may violate the principle of consent

Participation in the Body Politic Voting Public service Interest Group Activity Public demonstration & Petition Publication Discourse & Debate Economic Activity

Voter Turnout Why do people vote? Benefit of citizenship Civic duty Family tradition Salience of issues Stake in outcome Media exposure Why don’t people vote? Apathy Disaffection Rational Ignorance Inconvenience Ineligibility

Rights and Duties Rights – Suffrage – Standing – Due Process – Speech, Press, Assembly and Petition – Equal protection of the laws Duties – Taxation – Conscription (when activated) – Jury participation – Electoral participation – Constitutional knowledge

Questions for Discussion What if citizenship had to be earned? What if voting were mandatory?