ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that understanding of political obligation and asks what the state owes to those who perform the role of citizen, regardless of their documented status. It provides a brief overview of conventional theories of political obligation. The chapter determines what duties are necessary to trigger performance-based citizenship. The most common justification for shouldering these duties atleast historically has been that political obligation is born of consent. Obligation, therefore, is a result of contract theory. An idealized vision of human sentiment is also reflected in the fairness justification for political obligation. The criteria to attain citizenship rights, then, and the metric to determine who is a member of the political community are based on an individual's sustained performance as a citizen. Political obligation is not just owed to the state; it also includes special obligations to fellow compatriots. Democratic legitimacy requires a set membership; that is, a group of people known, publicly acknowledged, and accountable to each other.
