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Can citizenship be used as a tool for discrimination and exclusion?

Erving Petrushanko

Citizenship is a legal status that grants individuals certain rights and privileges within a particular country. However, it can also be used as a tool for discrimination and exclusion, as it can determine a person's access to resources, opportunities, and social networks. In this way, citizenship is a form of social stratification that can reinforce existing inequalities and reinforce patterns of marginalization.

One example of how citizenship can be used as a tool for discrimination and exclusion is in the context of migration. Immigration policies that privilege certain groups over others can create a hierarchy of citizenship, where some individuals have more rights and protections than others. For instance, countries that give preference to highly skilled workers or investors may exclude low-skilled workers or refugees, even if they are in desperate need of protection. This can leave vulnerable groups of people without access to basic necessities like healthcare, education, and housing.

Furthermore, citizenship can be used to exclude individuals from certain social, political, and economic activities. For instance, undocumented immigrants may be excluded from voting, running for office, or accessing public services. Even legal residents who are not citizens may be restricted from travel, employment, and educational opportunities. This can create a sense of alienation and marginalization, as individuals are denied full participation in the social and political life of the country they call home.

Beyond formal policies, citizenship can also be used as a tool for discrimination and exclusion through everyday practices of social exclusion. Discrimination can take many forms, including ethnic, racial, religious, and gender-based discrimination. For example, in some societies, individuals who are perceived as belonging to certain racial or ethnic groups may be denied citizenship or treated as second-class citizens. Similarly, individuals who do not conform to heteronormative gender roles may be excluded from the benefits of citizenship.

In conclusion, citizenship is a complex and multifaceted concept that can be used as a tool for discrimination and exclusion. It can create hierarchies of rights and privileges that exclude vulnerable groups of people, including immigrants, refugees, and minorities. Addressing these forms of exclusion requires a broader range of policies and practices that promote tolerance, inclusion, and social justice. This includes recognizing the multiple dimensions of inequality that shape citizenship, and working to create inclusive societies that value diversity and human rights for all.