Preface

Abstract This book examines the politics of internal migration and social citizenship in federal systems by comparing historical Germany, the US, and the EU. It explores how free movement rights for citizens have often excluded the poor due to localized welfare systems and economic inequality. Using historical and contemporary case studies, the authors reveal how legal frameworks, political institutions, and local governance have shaped access to social assistance. The book argues that while federations often grant mobility rights, these remain conditional, and only some have ensured minimum income protections for internal migrants. The EU, notably, still struggles to close this gap.