Marshall and Giddens offer distinct perspectives on citizenship, each rooted in different theoretical frameworks. While both explore the concept in terms of rights and social inclusion, their approaches diverge in key areas such as the nature of citizenship, its evolution, and its relationship with modernity and state power.
T.H. Marshall’s View on Citizenship
T.H. Marshall’s influential work on citizenship, articulated in his essay Citizenship and Social Class (1950), focuses primarily on the historical development of citizenship in the context of the British welfare state. Marshall’s framework emphasizes the gradual extension of civil, political, and social rights, which he views as integral to the modern conception of citizenship. His theory is based on the premise that citizenship evolves through three distinct stages:
- Civil Rights: These encompass the basic liberties necessary for individual freedom, such as freedom of speech, property rights, and the rule of law. Marshall argues that civil rights were the foundation of citizenship, emerging with the development of capitalism and the gradual expansion of the legal protections for individuals.
- Political Rights: These rights involve participation in the political process, such as voting, running for office, and the right to engage in democratic governance. Marshall situates the expansion of political rights in the context of the democratization of society and the rise of universal suffrage.
- Social Rights: Marshall's idea of social rights is perhaps his most distinctive contribution. He argues that true citizenship is only achieved when individuals have access to a range of social services, including healthcare, education, and welfare benefits. This stage represents the integration of individuals into the welfare state, which he sees as essential for ensuring full participation in society.
Marshall views citizenship as a process of inclusion that enables individuals to participate fully in social and political life. His work reflects a progressive view of citizenship, in which rights are seen as evolving over time, driven by social and economic forces.
Anthony Giddens’ View on Citizenship
Anthony Giddens, a prominent sociologist of the late 20th century, builds on Marshall’s ideas but offers a more contemporary, critical take on citizenship in the context of globalization, neoliberalism, and postmodernity. Giddens critiques the notion of citizenship as a static and progressive concept, instead focusing on the tensions between the individual and the state in the modern era. His work, particularly in The Third Way (1998), examines the implications of global interconnectedness and the diminishing power of the nation-state in defining citizenship.
Giddens contends that citizenship today is increasingly defined not only by rights but also by responsibilities. He argues that the expansion of global capitalism, the decline of the welfare state, and the rise of transnational institutions have transformed the traditional understanding of citizenship. In this globalized world, citizenship is no longer confined to national boundaries. Instead, Giddens suggests that citizens must navigate multiple layers of identity and allegiance, balancing local, national, and global concerns.
Unlike Marshall, who emphasizes the role of the state in ensuring social rights, Giddens is more skeptical about the ability of the state to deliver these rights in the contemporary globalized context. He advocates for a more active and participatory form of citizenship that emphasizes individual responsibility, mutuality, and collective engagement with global issues, such as climate change and economic inequality.
Key Differences
The key difference between Marshall’s and Giddens’ views lies in their treatment of the relationship between the state and citizenship. Marshall sees the state as central to the realization of social rights and inclusive citizenship, while Giddens is concerned about the decreasing power of the state and the complex interplay between national and global forces. Furthermore, Giddens' framework emphasizes a more dynamic, complex view of citizenship in the age of globalization, whereas Marshall presents a more linear, state-centered model focused on rights expansion over time.
Subscribe on YouTube - NotesWorld
For PDF copy of Solved Assignment
Any University Assignment Solution