Single Idea 23379

[catalogued under 25. Social Practice / C. Rights / 1. Basis of Rights]

Full Idea

Extending citizenship to include common social rights was a tool of nation-building, intended in part to construct and consolidate a sense of common national identity and culture.

Gist of Idea

Rights are a part of nation-building, to build a common national identity and culture

Source

Will Kymlicka (Contemporary Political Philosophy (2nd edn) [2002], 8)

Book Reference

Kymlicka,Will: 'Contemporary Political Philosophy (2nd ed)' [OUP 2002], p.329


A Reaction

Kymlicka explains a lot of politics and society in terms of the desire of governments to 'build' their nation. You have to make people who are essentially powerless feel that they are at least in some way involved, and benefiting.