ABSTRACT
In liberal-democratic theory, citizenship is seen as the institution that provides political cohesion. The status of citizen seems inclusive and open to all. Yet, as discussed in previous chapters, this universalistic principle is belied by historical practice, in which citizenship has almost always been bound to the status of being a national - an intrinsically particularistic and exclusionary category. That has meant either the exclusion or the forced assimilation of groups not considered part of the national community. This contradiction has been exacerbated by globalization. The mass migrations of the last half century have played a major part in undermining myths of national homogeneity. A range of structural and cultural factors inherent in western societies have marginalized immigrants, indigenous people and certain other groups, turning them into ethnic minorities. This has negative effects not only for the marginalized groups, but also for the political culture as a whole, as democratic citizenship cannot flourish in a society based on exclusion.
