Rethinking citizenship

This chapter theorises a social psychological framework to study citizenship. This framework reconceptualises citizenship beyond its traditional, state-linked definition, presenting it as a dynamic, relational, and future-oriented social-psychological project. By bringing examples from the chapters of this book, the chapter highlights how citizenship is enacted through diverse everyday practices, extending from the physical to the digital space interactions, to health choices and energy-related decisions, highlighting the paradoxical demands of neoliberal ideologies. The chapter presents both habitual and transgressive acts of citizenship, showcasing how citizenship regimes exert influence upon people, producing subjectivities and restricting citizenship but also how individuals and groups resist and reshape existing norms, particularly in contexts of disadvantage. Furthermore, it stresses the inherently relational nature of citizenship, influenced by power dynamics, and its potential for driving social change in response to contemporary crises. Finally, the text reflects critically on research practices, advocating for a more inclusive and socially just approach to studying citizenship.