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Explain the theories of citizenship

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According to Aristotle, citizens established a State to ensure their survival as a self-sufficient community. Citizenship grew organically from the community and excluded foreigners

Citizenship in Ancient Rome incorporated people of diverse backgrounds and those who served Rome in various capacities. Citizenship in Rome meant membership in a political community based on legally defined rights and duties. Citizenship was not defined in terms of common history or culture but could be conferred upon anyone whatever the origin. It was open to foreigners, thus laying the foundation for universalization of citizenship

The contract theory postulates a tacit agreement between people and government and between individuals. The idea of government contract was largely employed by the defenders of liberty in Middle Ages to resist absolutism of rulers against their subjects Modern Theory on Citizenship postulates the assertion of citizenry power over absolutism. This was exemplified in the English Glorious Revolution of 1688 which limited the powers of the monarchy and instituted the bill of rights that protected the citizens from the excesses of the monarchy.
The specific duties of Athenian citizen were:

i. Religious: Believing in the gods of his city and taking part in festival of national gods.

ii. Private: Marriage; the law forbade men to remain single.

iii. Political: The Athenian law forbade anyone to remain neutral. One was required to take a position or side in public debate.

iv. Financial: The law placed the heaviest burden of taxation on richer citizens who were required to expend large sums of their money on public service.

v. Military: All citizens were required to serve in one or another branch of the military.

The Declaration of the rights of man and citizens that preceded the French Revolution of 1789 stated that all men are equal before the law and that sovereignty lies with the citizens. All citizens, directly or through their representatives, participate in the making of the laws (Rials, 1988:475-751).

Titany answered the question on August 27, 2021 at 07:04

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Explain the theories of citizenship

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