In the United States, it is often taught that a good citizen is someone who participates in government (vote), pays taxes and doesn’t break the law. But a more expansive definition of citizenship goes beyond these responsibilities to include a commitment to the country’s core cultural values, which vary between tribes and nations and are shaped by a place’s unique historical experiences with humans and non-human residents.
Many of these values are embodied in the country’s natural resources, which are vital to its people’s survival. For example, one of the most important duties of a good citizen is to conserve water, something that’s not only beneficial for the environment but can also save lives in some countries, where a lack of water can be a matter of life and death.
Another way that citizens serve their country is by educating others. This is a duty of all citizens and can take the form of anything from teaching children the importance of conserving water to writing newspaper articles that help inform citizens about the world around them. It is important to be informed, but it can be hard in an age of abundant information—which may not always be factual and is loaded with opinion—to know what matters and what doesn’t. It’s important to read books and, when possible, talk with other people with different perspectives.
Finally, a good citizen should be willing to challenge authority and speak out against wrongdoing. This is a fundamental part of democracy, but it’s not easy. It’s even harder when your views are viewed as “outsider” or “controversial.” The most important thing is to try and find a balance between being accepted by the group and keeping your unique identity. This is a challenge that every person must face in his or her lifetime.
The concept of citizenship has a complicated history. For most of its existence, it has been tied to the idea of the nation state, which entails that everyone who is a legal citizen of a particular country enjoys certain privileges and responsibilities. Traditionally, citizens have fulfilled their obligations by voting and participating in civic life in order to make society work better for all.
But recently, scholars have been debating what it means to be a good citizen. They point to the fact that merely voting in elections does not promote feelings of empowerment among citizens or make those who govern accountable. They argue that there is a need to address the problem of low voter turnout and to develop new ways to engage citizens.
This debate has taken on added urgency in the United States, where a Supreme Court case aims to abolish birthright citizenship, a long-standing constitutional tradition. In the course of deciding the case, the Court is raising questions about how it defines good citizenship vis-à-vis police power and whether the Court’s use of “citizenship talk” discourages participatory citizenship by encouraging citizens to surrender constitutional protections in service of the state.