Zoopolis Paragraph
Throughout Zoopolis, authors Donaldson and Kymlicka argue for the rights of animals to be
citizens. According to Donaldson and Kymlicka, citizenship entails “shaping one’s society” in a manner
where “individuals are contributing agents” which demonstrates their teleological purpose (#).
Furthermore the authors contrast “contributing agents” with “passive recipients of benefits” (#). This
contrast exemplifies binary opposition by stating citizenship is an active role as opposed to the passive
role animals assume now. The authors state that animals’ ontology is currently contingent upon their
relation to humans, animals instead should be “co-creator[s] of the community” (#). This unfolds the
issue of animals’ hierarchical inferiority because we don’t allow them to actively participate as citizens.
While Donaldson and Kymlicka are correct in arguing for animals to be members of our society,
citizenship is a privilege not suited for their ontology. In essence, these authors argue animals should
exercise their agency because human intervention limits their agency.