Citizenship, Diversity, and Pluralism

Citizenship has both a vertical and a horizontal dimension. The vertical links individuals to the state by reinforcing the idea that it is "their" state - that they are full members of an ongoing association that is expected to survive the passing generations. Accordingly their relation to the state is not narrowly instrumental but is supported by a reservoir of loyalty and patriotism that gives legitimacy to the state. The horizontal relationship is the positive identification with fellow citizens as valued members of the same civic community. Here citizenship reinforces empathy and sustains solidarity through its official endorsement of who counts as "one of us." Citizenship, therefore, is a linking mechanism that in its most perfect expression binds the citizenry to the state and to each other. In "Citizenship, Diversity, and Pluralism" leading scholars assess the transformation of these two dimensions of citizenship in increasingly diverse and plural modern societies, both in Canada and internationally. Subjects addressed include the changing ethnic demography of states, social citizenship, multiculturalism, feminist perspectives on citizenship, aboriginal nationalism, identity politics, and the internationalisation of human rights. Alan C. Cairns is adjunct professor of political science at the University of Waterloo and author of Charter versus Federalism: The Dilemmas of Constitutional Reform. John C. Courtney is professor of political science at the University of Saskatchewan and author of "Do Conventions Matter? Choosing National Party Leaders in Canada". Peter MacKinnon is president of the University of Saskatchewan and has served as president of both the Canadian Association of Law Teachers and the Council of Canadian Law Deans. Hans J. Michelmann is professor of political science and acting associate dean (Academic) of the College of Arts and Science at the University of Saskatchewan. David E. Smith is professor of political studies at the University of Saskatchewan.