The workshop will take place on the 2nd - 4th April 2020 in Stellenbosch at the Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Studies (STIAS). The workshop is co-funded by the STIAS Iso Lomso fellowship and the GMRDC, University of Fort Hare and hosted by Dr Christine Hobden.

Application deadline: Wednesday 30th October 2019

Confirmed participants include: Andrew Mason, Ashwini Vasanthkumar, Amy Hondo, Rutger Birnie, Stephanie Collins, Samantha Vice, John Sanni, Laurence Piper, and Uchenna Okeja.

Book Abstract: Citizenship in a Globalized World

This book presents a globally-oriented, state-based conception of citizenship. This conception responds to both the increasing polarization between nationalists and those who view themselves as citizens of the world, and the expanding responsibility gap between states that perpetuate global injustices and the citizens in whose name they act. The book argues that citizens of liberal democracies can be held collectively morally responsible for the unjust acts of their state in the international realm. As such, while citizenship is state-based, citizens have duties of global justice that are grounded in virtue of their citizenship of a particular state. As a result of this responsibility, the collective can be blamed, punished (within limits), expected to apologize, and held liable for remedial duties. Individual citizens can be expected to ‘do their bit’ in fulfilling these collective remedial duties, as well as the collective duty of holding their state accountable. The book explores how this conception of citizenship approaches the conditions of contemporary societies: citizens of vastly differing wealth and education; states that often act beyond the realm of their mandate; semi-democratic regimes; and the rise of non-citizen residents. It advocates for an active citizenry, with obligations to make use of a wide-range of democratic channels in the pursuit of justice, including social media and consumer activism.