Olivia's post #2:

“If the institution of citizenship is threatened we are all potentially at risk” (Cairns, Courtney, Mackinnon, Michelmann, & Smith, p.5, 1999), was an underlying theme, in my view, in Cairns’ chapter.  The author describes citizenship as a tool that can help advance relations between state and individuals. Because of globalization it is suggested that we look at citizenship differently, in a more effective and inclusive way. 

One aspect of the author’s ideal view of citizenship for today’s world is that it would value the multiple identities every individual attains and, further, encourage the practice of finding similarities among the population instead of differences. This type of recognition would create stronger, more effective relations between all, including the state, citizens and, because of the growing immigration population around the world, non-citizens. The author uses a fitting term to describe one of the tasks of citizenship by saying that it enforces empathy, suggesting that states in particular go about gaining a good relationship with its citizens in a more sensitive way.  Further, he discusses how identity politics can help enhance a better understanding of citizenship for today, and thus a better understanding of each other.  He believes that an individual is both an insider (one with existential knowledge of their own identities) and outsider (objective knowledge), and that views are both beneficial in working toward a more mutual understanding of one another, and ultimately form a type of unity within a ‘nation’.   Cairns et al. emphasizes that a homogeneous society is quite uncommon, and with the reality of multi-ethnic states it is crucial to form an equitable institution in which there is a shared and meaningful citizenry.  This form of citizenship would create a population that would be much more solid and capable in reaching goals, tackling issues, and so on.

Cairns also points to the need for everyone to assess their relationships with all groups, including individuals in their own group, other communities, the state and international spaces. Since citizenship, according to Cairns et al. is a “…linking mechanism…” (p.4) this asks us to examine how each group (state, citizen, local communities, etc.) interacts with one another. In order to receive the benefits of social and political unity we must practice this approach of citizenship. Each group affects one another’s actions and psychological state (Cairns et. al, 1999), in particular with a growing international presence; it becomes even more important how it changes national and domestic relations. One suggestion is for the state to not ignore the views, demands, and realities of individuals. International rights are more accessible for individuals to practise and in turn gives them more confidence to exercise their rights perhaps against the state. In addition, because of international pressures a state is in a way monitored and placed more in the spotlight in how they carry out their promises to these communities and their treatment of their own citizens. At the same time, the stability of this kind of regime should not be depended upon.  A state may choose to pull back on support of social rights, putting individual’s hopes and ambitions at risk.  Regardless, citizenship is strengthened by an international rights discourse, listing confidence and participation as beneficial outcomes among the citizens. It also balances relations between all groups giving everyone equal room to express and act on their goals. Since the state and citizens are dependent on the institution of citizenship (Cairns et al., 1999) it most definitely requires an awareness of international happenings. 

I too have a similar question that the chapter poses, can there be an institution, whose rights, roles and so on, please everyone?  Further, since the author suggests we find a commonality, what should that be based on? I would have liked to have seen more of his opinion on how we could find similarities and use them to our advantage.

Reference:

Cairns,
A., Courtney, J.,
MacKinnon, P.,
Michelmann, H.
&
Smith, D. (Eds.) (1999). Citizenship, diversity
and
pluralism: Canadian and comparative
perspectives. Montreal
and
Kingston: McGill Queen’s University Press