Commonwealth citizenship: the decline and future of an amorphous concept

The post-War Commonwealth citizenship concept promised a post-imperial system of non-alien status and rights. Although the former Dominions maintained (and South Africa furthered) discriminatory policies and the new members also adopted restrictive approaches, some optimism remained into the 1960s. This evaporated and was replaced by a crisis brought on by East Africa's 'Africanisation' initiatives. Although a trend against recognition commenced in the mid-1970s, almost half the Commonwealth still at least symbolically recognise such citizenship and around one third accord it limited electoral or other rights. Nevertheless, absent new momentum, a non-recognition trend will continue. From 2011 to 2018 Commonwealth citizenship was invoked in a proposed pan-Commonwealth initiative to facilitate short-term mobility especially for business purposes. This initiative chimes with the new Secretary-General's focus on enhancing economic cooperation, might usefully be revitalised and could provide continued justification for recognising Commonwealth citizenship.