What Does It Mean To Be Citizen

The world around us will forever be growing, changing and challenging those who occupy it. Notions that once ruled nations and demanding commodities are phasing out and morphing into stronger and more influential concepts. Citizenship is considered one of these perceptions. Possessing the title of being citizen is defined as “a native or naturalised member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection” (Dictionary.com, 2016). Describing oneself as a citizen can be interpreted in many ways; it is no longer about just being a citizen of one place or one nation, it’s about where someone belongs and the responsibilities an individual upholds. The specific idea of citizenship will forever be transforming

The online life is a growing community with most being active online in one way or another, which has brought the sense of ‘netizen’ to attention. Netizen literally means “a citizen of the internet” (Fung, 2012) which is becoming the norm amongst the younger generation. People have become so absorbed by technology, for some it has become their main source of communication leaving many ignorant to what is occurring in the world around them. Exemplified strongly in the recent Australia Government voting, most young people were uninterested and were recorded as the smallest percentage of voters. With already limited opportunities to have a say on a nation’s future, young people are not taking advantage as recognised by “Citizens of most countries have little political participation aside from periodic choices between a limited numbers of established political parties” (McCowan, 2009). A basic right when owning a citizenship is voting and many do not take advantage of this but instead express their citizenship in other formations as Richard Bellamy explains “citizenship is a condition of civic equality. It consists of membership of a political community where all citizens can determine the terms of social cooperation on an equal basis” (Chou, 2016). Another modern interpretation of citizenship is the concept of ‘city-zen’ which is considered the love of a city, being a citizen of a city instead of the country as

The introduction of numerous techniques to live in another country and change citizenship can be permanent or temporary. The visa concept when travelling allows individuals to be a temporary citizen of another country other than their origin, but must possess a passport which requires citizenship (Border.gov.au, 2016). Similarly, in today’s society one person is no longer limited to being recognised as a citizen of one place. My mum currently obtains an Australian citizenship and passport as well as a British passport as she was born in England. Likewise, due to her originating from Great Britain that allows myself to own a British passport and luckily live in Great Britain. This reflects the Stoic’s early conception of cosmopolitanism which idolises the idea of being a global citizen, thinking on more of a global spectrum (The Immoderate Stoic, 2013). An individual that is considered a cosmopolitan when they look at more global issues and therefore, may not see themselves as a citizen of one specific nation. This can be beneficial as people can become more aware of problems overseas, however, can boil frustration or major concern if all issues come into focus. On the other hand, communitarianism is the strong focal point on factors in a nation (Chou, 2016). Communists take pride in their country and become involved in the society around them, many