AQCI II
Helene Fritzsche
16.10.2015
AQCI: Brubaker, R. (1992). The Institution of Citizenship. In Citizenship and Nationhood in France and Germany (pp. 2123). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press.
Benhabib, S. (2005). Borders, Boundaries and Citizenship. PS: Political Science and Politics, 38(4), 673-677. Retrieved
October 16, 2015, from JSTOR.
1. Central Quotation: `Citizenship is thus both an instrument and an object of closure´ (Brubaker, 1992, p.23).
2. Argument: Every modern state must formally and legally define its citizenry by excluding all others as non-citizens or
aliens (Brubaker, 1992, p.21). In doing so the state emerges above mere territoriality and becomes a membership
organization of its citizens, granting not only legal but also social rights to its citizens. Brubaker emphasizes the
argument that citizenship must be viewed as more than just a legal formula, but as a salient social and cultural fact, a
powerful instrument of social closure (Brubaker, 1992, p.21). Modern forms of social closure can be found in both
institutions and practices, namely the existence of a territorial border, universal suffrage, military service and
naturalization. Only citizens have an unquantified right to access and employ both suffrage and military service while
naturalization, which governs the right to the citizen status is closed and restricted to those qualified by the state
(Brubaker, 1992, p.23). Therefore, Brubaker declares, citizenship is both an instrument and an object of closure
(Brubaker, 1992, p.23).
3. Question: The author arguments that the modern state legally defines its inhabitants as either citizens or non-citizens
who are excluded from the benefits and protection related to citizenship. Although entirely correct Brubaker establishes
a very simple dichotomy not discussing the position of minorities within a state. The Romani in Romania, who have lived
on Romanian territory for centuries are Romanian citizens by birth. However, due to deeply rooted racism and
prejudices the Romani cannot exercise their citizenship rights to the same extend as non-Romani Rumanians.
Regarding the situation of the Romani in Romania one question left unanswered by Brubaker´s work is: `How does the
modern state define national minorities in terms of citizenship´?
4. Experiential Connection: Brubaker´statement is generally true, though to a lesser extent today than in 1991. Naturally
the author could not foresee the further development of the European Union and could thus not include the impact of
EU legislation on national citizenship. Since I am a German enrolled at a Dutch University, I am a good example for my
own argument. Although legally a non-citizen and according to Brubaker enclosed from citizenship rights, I am able to
vote in municipal elections, reside, study and work in the Netherlands and I can enter and re-enter state territory on my
own account. Thus I partially enjoy the same rights and benefits as a Dutch citizen. Therefore, the relationship between
citizenship and social enclosure must be reassessed with regards to the development and power of EU legislation over
national citizenship.
5. Textual Connection: ` The crises of the nation-state, along with globalization and the rise of multicultural movements,
have shifted the lines between citizens and residents, nationals and foreigners. Citizenship rights today must be
resituated in a transnational context´ (Benhabib, 2005, p.674). Benhabib´s argument can be viewed as the result of an
evolution from Brubaker´s dichotomy declaring people either citizens or non-citizens to the present state of multiple
membership categories a person can be assigned to. The author calls for a reassessment of citizenship rights aligning
with the decline of the nation-state and growing globalization and thus declares the definition citizenship in the sense of
Brubaker outdated. Further in her article she elaborates on the development of European Union citizenship as an
example of the disaggregation of national citizenship which has led to multiple benefits for EU citizens including access
to permanent residency, employment and education within the territory of another member state (Benhabib, 2005,
p.675).
6. Implications: Brubaker´s argument about citizenship as an instrument and object of closure implies that by giving or
withholding citizenship status the state can give an individual the opportunity not only to benefit from the state´s civil
rights but also to contribute socially, economically and culturally to society. Thus future policies should be directed
towards the establishment of inclusive national citizenship, granting national rights and state protection not based on
birth but on a person´s willingness to contribute to his new country.
AQCI ASSESSMENT FORM
Student’s
name:
Helene Fritzsche
Essay title:
AQCI II
Name of
assessor:
Excel
lent
1) Is the chosen quotation central to the
author’s argument?
Go
od
Date:
Aver
age
X
X
X
3b) Has this question not been fully
answered in the text?
Comments
I think the question is
interesting in itself but I am
not sure if it is relevant for
the text. I don´t think that
Brubaker intended to
discuss the citizenship
status of minorities but
citizenship in as a form of
closure against those who
are clearly defined as noncitizens. Thus I am not sure
if my question fits the
author´s argument
X
X
4) Is the experiential connection
relevant/interesting?
X
5a) Is the textual connection
relevant/interesting?
5b) Has it been cited properly?
5c) Has it been adequately explained
how the present text's argument
contrasts with, contradicts, confirms,
clarifies, or elaborates the other text's
argument or point?
Not
accept
able
Given my personal
understanding of the text it
is
I think I did understood
Brubaker´s main argument
2) Has the main argument been fully
understood (including its ‘for’ and
‘against’ sides, if applicable)?
3a) Is the question raised
important/relevant/interesting?
Po
or
16.10.2015
It has not been answered by
the text
I think my personal story
shows how the boundaries
of citizenship have changed
with the evolution of EU
legislation
I think the second text
shows quit well how
citizenship is viewed today
X
X
In-text references and
sourcse are displayed
correctly
X
6) Have the implications been well
understood, can they have a practical
impact for policy making?
7) Expression/Presentation
a) Are the style, grammar and general
use of English adequate?
b) Is the AQCI professionally presented?
Essay grade:
Further comments:
X
X
I think I understood his
implication correctly but
formulating them in therms
of policy makig was difficult
for me