Citizenship matters : explorations into the citizen-state relationship in Africa

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Authors

Melber, Henning
Bjarnesen, Jesper
Lanzano, Cristiano
Mususa, Patience

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Volume Title

Publisher

Routledge

Abstract

Citizenship is a universal legal concept and norm. But its meaning and impact differ. Its codification and implementation are shaped by historical trajec- tories, political systems and state/government relations with members of society. State policy affects perceptions of citizenship and civic behaviour by those gov- erned. This paper engages with current challenges relating to citizenship in Africa South of the Sahara. It centres on academic and policy discussions on citi- zenship but also draws on media reports and secondary literature to explore whether promoting and embracing a positive notion of citizenship can be an oppor- tunity for states and governments as well as citizens. Could civic education be con- sidered a worthwhile investment in social stability and a shared identification with the common good? We conclude by making a case for a social contract, which reconciles particularistic identities (such as ethnicity) with citizenship and govern- ance under the rule of law as an investment into enhanced trust in a citizen-state relationship.

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Keywords

Citizenship, Social contract, Governance, State, Civil society

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Henning Melber, Jesper Bjarnesen, Cristiano Lanzano & Patience Mususa (2023) Citizenship Matters: Explorations into the Citizen-State Relationship in Africa, Forum for Development Studies, 50:1, 35-58, DOI: 10.1080/08039410.2022.2145992.