Citizenship and the Modern Social Conflict

Abstract

The politics of liberty is about more life chances for more people. Its condition and constitutional basis is civil society. A civil society is a society of citizens in the full sense of the word. Many countries have a long way to go to this goal. Citizenship is the theme of changes in the Soviet Union, the desire of many in Eastern Europe, the imperative need in South Africa and in the remaining dictatorships of Latin America, the great task in the developing world. But citizenship is under pressure in the developed free countries — the OECD countries — as well. It is certainly under pressure in Britain. It is therefore well to remember what it means and to consider the next steps towards the constitution of civil society.