Cambridge Legal Theory Discussion Group: 'Tadgh Healy: Mandatory Citizenship and Republicanism'

Abstract

Helder De Schutter and Lea Ypi have recently defended the position that citizenship should be mandatory for long-term immigrants. They argue that citizens are required to take up a number of duties not required of non-citizens. In the interests of fairness, the argument goes, citizenship must be made mandatory for all residents of a community. This essay focuses on one of the duties De Schutter and Ypi claim is shouldered solely by citizens: the all-affecting principle. I argue that such a claim is empirically not true, and consequently, with regards to the all-affecting principle, the argument from fairness falls down. The central task of this essay, however, is an attempt to reconstruct the argument from fairness. I pose the question: what conception of citizenship would have to be in operation so that the case for mandatory citizenship becomes persuasive? I articulate an understanding of citizenship from within the republican tradition.

Sessions are pre-read and are available from Dropbox.