Changing the Basis of Citizenship in the Modern State:
Political Theory and the Politics of Diversity
Edited by Sicakkan, Hakan G. , & Lithman, Yngve G.

Description

How is citizenship and co-existence in diverse societies possible? This book endeavors to demonstrate that the links between belongings and memberships should be a central consideration in any attempt to answer this crucial question. Citizenship, understood as a form of membership, does not always seem to overlap with the existing forms of belonging. To provide a solid interdisciplinary basis for theorizing the links between belongings and memberships in contexts of diversity, this volume brings together the conceptual and methodological tools of political theory, social theory, history, political science, and sociology. In this book, scholars with unique competencies share their knowledge on the topic and provide novel angles for thinking about citizenship and co-existence in diverse societies.

Reviews

“This book ... bravely continues a debate between disciplines that has never been concluded. In a sober mood of serious argument, the contributions of this volume explore from various theoretical perspectives and through in-depth analysis of empirical cases a common question: What is the relation between multiple individual identities, cultural diversity in society, and political recognition of group difference? ... The editors introduce a useful terminology for this core problem. They write about “modes of belonging”, a concept that captures well the endless variety of individual affiliations to social groups, geographical spaces, historical narratives and cultural systems ... The editors go beyond a critique of the descriptive inadequacy of such versions of multiculturalism and make a normative argument for “inclusive ontologies” and political arrangements that allow for the broadest variety and variability of belonging ... It is at this point that the debate across disciplines moves from a polite exchange of maps that describe a common terrain from different perspectives towards the search for analytical tools for joint explorations.” – (from the Commendatory Preface) Dr. Rainer Bauböck, Senior Researcher, Institute for European Integration Research, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna

“…Academics, students and policy makers now can inform themselves about the roles of identity politics, the politics of identity and modes of belonging by reading a series of cogently written essays in this work which reaches across the 19th to the 21st century in both European and North American contexts. The reward from this effort will be the knowledge gained to answer my questions and pose further vexing queries.” – Don J. DeVoretz, Professor of Economics, Simon Fraser University

“This is a well-edited and timely collection, addressing political, social and cultural problems in today’s world that are of primary significance both to individuals, groups and political regimes…The book contains a good, well-balanced mix of historical, theoretical and empirical contributions to this wide arena of concerns ... It is framed by a fine, clarifying introduction and an even better final chapter, in which the two editors draw out and theoretically contextualize the main conclusions …The individual contributions to this collection are consistently fine, well-presented and lucidly argued ... this is a book much to be welcomed." - Ulf Hedetoft, Professor of International Studies, Aalborg University, and Director of the Academy of Migration Studies, Denmark

Table of Contents

List of Figures
Preface
1. Politics of Identity, Modes of Belonging and Citizenship: An Overview of Conceptual and Theoretical Challenges
2. State Formation, Nation Building and Citizenship in Western Europe
3. Complementary Ethnic and National Identities in the united States at the Turn of the Nineteenth Century
4. The Cultural Construction of Nationalisms: Nation, Person, Time and Territory in First Nation – White Relationships in Canada
5. Re-envisioning Boundaries of Citizenship: Political Identity and Belonging in the Bergama Movement in Turnkey
6. The Republican Conception of Patriotism
7. Ethnic and Religious State Neutrality: Utopia or Myth?
8. Theorizing Identity Politics, Belonging Modes and Citizenship
Bibliography
Index

ISBN10:  0-7734-6025-X   ISBN13:  978-0-7734-6025-6    Pages:  272    Year:  2005   

Series: Studies in Political Science Number: 30

Subject Area: Political Science, Political Philosophy & Theory 

Imprint: Edwin Mellen Press

USA List Price: $109.95 UK List Price: £ 69.95  

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