Citizenship in Nativist Times

Over the past two decades, debates about diversity, belonging, and feeling at home have intensified significantly. A particularly prominent argument posits that growing diversity threatens societal cohesion, eroding citizens’ commitment to ideals such as solidarity and justice. Similarly widespread is the claim that various societal divides—between urban and rural populations, politicians and constituents, cosmopolitans and communitarians—are widening rapidly, leaving many feeling abandoned and disillusioned. As perceptions of deepening divides gain traction, citizenship has become a central site of political struggle. Populist and nativist forces increasingly dictate who counts as a ‘real’ citizen, often undermining democratic principles, the rule of law, and the welfare state. Citizenship—with all its perplexities—is the central focus of this collection. Through case studies and theoretical reflections, essays by well-established international experts explore the tensions and intersections among the political, social, cultural, and academic dimensions of citizenship. From rights and representation to social welfare and public discourse, the contributions question how citizenship is being restricted, reimagined, or reclaimed—and by whom. Engaging with current debates, this volume is essential reading on democracy, justice, and belonging amid populism, nativism, and (perceived) societal fragmentation.