Why was dual citizenship accepted?
What is citizenship? How have international views of citizenship changed overtime? What benefits might there be from dual citizenship both for the individual and for the associated states? Mate Subašić discusses these questions in this video workshop:
To continue discussing this topic with your class try using the below discussion exercises. You can also download the Why was dual citizenship accepted? worksheet.
These exercises have been created to accompany the 'Why was Dual Citizenship Accepted?' video workshop and are purely to show how the inability to have dual citizenship could cause a practical problem to individuals.
EXERCISE 1 – Work in groups
Imagine yourself in 15 years. You and your partner are expecting a child. At the same time, you are offered to move to another country to work in a position you always dreamed about. Now, think about the consequences for your child and discuss in groups:
Would you like your child to remain a citizen to your country of origin? Or would you prefer your child to have citizenship only in the country in which you plan to move?
Do you think dual citizenship will help you and your child in making such decisions?
EXERCISE 2 – Work in groups
Imagine a couple who have citizenship in two different countries are expecting a baby. For example, one has Irish citizenship, and the other holds British citizenship. Imagine this is in a world where you are only allowed to have one citizenship: what citizenship would the child have?
Do you think the child would appreciate, once grown, to choose their citizenship? Do you think the child could be better off with dual citizenship? Explain why?
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL
- All countries in the world have different citizenship laws. Here is an interactive map where you can find information about the various laws that each state has by clicking on the country you want to know more about
- Find more videos here where social scientists explain citizenship in detail, including the British citizenship policy