Logo: Project Citizen

Lesson 33: What Does It Mean to Be a Citizen?

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Lesson Purpose

Justice Louis D. Brandeis once remarked that "the only title in our democracy superior to that of president is the title citizen." Brandeis was acknowledging one of the oldest principles of American democracy, part of the nation's legacy of classical republicanism. America's experiment in self-government depends foremost not on presidents, members of Congress, or justices, but on each of us as citizens. This unit begins with a discussion of influences of classical republicanism and natural rights philosophy on Americans' ideas about citizenship. It concludes by offering you the opportunity to discuss some of the most fundamental questions of citizenship. This lesson examines the concept of "citizen," how the concept has changed in American history, how one becomes a citizen, and the moral and legal rights and obligations of citizens.

When you have finished this lesson, you should be able to explain the meaning of citizenship in the United States, the ways Americans become citizens, and why all American citizens are citizens both of their states and their nation. You also should be able to identify essential rights and responsibilities of citizens, and why citizenship is particularly complicated for Native Americans. You should be able to describe the process of naturalization, differences between citizens and resident aliens, and how citizenship can be lost. Finally, you should be able to evaluate, take, and defend positions on the legal and moral rights and obligations of citizens.

Lesson Objectives

When you have finished this lesson, you should  be able to
  • explain the meaning of citizenship in the United States, the ways Americans become citizens, and why all American citizens are citizens both of their states and their nation,
  • identify essential rights and responsibilities of citizens, and why citizenship is particularly complicated for Native Americans,
  • describe the process of naturalization, differences between citizens and resident aliens, and how citizenship can be lost, and
  • evaluate, take, and defend positions on the legal and moral rights and obligations of citizens.

Lesson Terms

E pluribus unum
Latin: Out of Many, One.
jus sanguinis
jus soli
alien
citizen
denaturalization
dual national citizenship
enlightened self-interest
naturalization
resident alien

Lesson Biographies

Madison, James (1751-1836 CE)

Lesson Court Cases

Worcester v. Georgia (1832)
Minor v. Happersett (1874)
Wong Wing v. United States (1896)
United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898)
Trop v. Dulles (1958)
Kent v. Dulles (1958)
Plyler v. Doe (1982)
Crawford v. Marion County Election Board (2008)

Lesson Primary Sources

Aristotle--Politics, 350 BCE

Aristotle's work on such topics as the political community, economics, property rights, citizenship, leadership, constitutions and the ideal state. He critiques the ideas in Plato's Republic and examines the existing thoughts and types of government, as well as discussing his notions of ideal society.

Access the Material

Tocqueville--Democracy in America, 1835, 1840
Cicero--De re publica (The Republic or On The Commonwealth), 54-51BC
Articles of Confederation
The Meriam Report (1928)
Some Thoughts Concerning Education by John Locke (1693)
Declaration of Independence 1776
Emile, or On Education by Rousseau
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