Table of ContentsIntroductionHistorical PerspectiveDefinition of CitizenshipImplications in the BalkansConclusionIntroductionIf we look from a very simplistic point of view, almost all people are citizens of at least one country in the world. This gives certain rights and obligations. Additionally, people may have "multiple or dual citizenship", meaning that they are citizens of two or more nations. However, being a citizen is much more than being an inhabitant of a country or region of the world, and this must not be forgotten. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay Due to the recent conflict in the Balkan region, especially in the former Yugoslav states, the discussion on the concept of citizenship is inevitable for the future development of the entire region. Understanding citizenship, the rights and virtues of citizens as well as duties is essential. Through this essay, we will attempt to explore the historical perspective of citizenship, some definitions, as well as its implications in the Balkan region. The conclusion will be presented at the end of this written work. Historical Perspective If we went back centuries ago to a Greek state, we would see that women and slaves were not considered citizens. Only the privileged had the status of citizens. The Greek terms “ethnos” and “demos” have the same connotation in the Balkan countries and represent people. It is important to distinguish that the term citizenship comes from the word demos, which represents "the ordinary people of an ancient Greek state"[1] - like the Latin plebs, while ethnos represents the nation. In ancient Greece, men over the age of 18 acquired civil rights and status. Under the Roman Empire, citizenship was acquired by birth or granted by generals or emperors. The value of the right to vote was closely linked to wealth and property. Additionally, the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen adopted on August 26, 1789 by the French National Assembly during the French Revolution[2] had a significant influence on politics and social democracy. by adopting articles on the freedom and equality of citizens. More recently, when talking about citizenship in the European context, significant lies are found in the “Final Declaration” adopted at the second summit of heads of state and government of the Council of Europe member states. in October 1997, where in its action plan the importance of education for democratic citizenship is emphasized.[3]Definition of citizenshipCitizenship is a very broad term and it can be seen from many angles. Until today, there is no common definition or understanding of citizenship. It is often seen as a set of civil, political and social rights and obligations towards the state. This represents legal citizenship and can largely be linked to patriotism about the identity of the nation-state. However, Karen O'Hara presents a new concept of citizenship in which the term citizen is described as "a person coexisting in society". 4]. This means that it was necessary to develop a more holistic vision of the concept, emphasizing that the notion of citizen is no longer solely centered on the state and authority. Instead, community has become a place that encompasses the local, regional, national and international context in which human beings live. Being an active citizen does not simply mean participating in the vote and choosing your representatives. It goes much deeper than that. It should encompass a whole range of activities which, on the one hand,in one way or another, influence the lives of individuals. TH Marshall suggested that citizenship could only be effective when it guaranteed access to three main types of rights. He thus identifies three components of citizenship: the civil component, which includes rights relating to individual freedom; the political component - for example the right to participate in the exercise of political power and to vote and participate in parliamentary activities; The social component of citizenship, which concerns the right to prevailing standards of living and equal access to education, health care, housing and a minimum level of income.[5]Citizenship is based on law, which means it is abstract because the law itself. However, we must not forget the cultural dimension of citizenship. Better still, we should promote the active participation of citizens in social issues rather than the passive acceptance of everything that is offered to them. In this way, civic duties and virtues would be emphasized as a means of promoting human rights in pluralistic societies. Nowadays, the question is how to attach the concept of citizenship to a society and not primarily to the state. The transition from state citizenship to social citizenship requires a positive inclusion of identity. The new role should not glorify the nation-state, but promote a complex social formation where there is space for a greater number of identities that are not in conflict. [6] As a result, we will achieve more social solidarity and tolerance where personal and civic identities are valued. A crucial part of democratic citizenship is the ideas of equality, diversity and social justice. To achieve this, it is essential to have good contacts between citizens and political decision-makers. The needs of people and individual freedoms, as well as the common good, must be respected and defined by policies that, if not satisfactory for all, are at least reasonable for the moment. Implications in the Balkans Historically, Europe is a continent where there have been so many conflicts and cultural exchanges. are so closely related and intertwined that it is difficult to distinguish where one ends and the other begins. Cultural exchanges are themselves a source of tension, even open conflict.[7]With the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia and recent wars, the concept of citizenship has changed for the majority of people. Therefore, problems arise in all three components of citizenship; civil, political and social. Individual freedoms were violated, political power was attributed to the majority, the standard of living was very low and definitively, equality in health, education and housing did not exist. Additionally, a problem arose in the ability to respect and live with other cultures. “Ordinary people” see the cause of inequality in the radically changed status of certain citizens. These citizens no longer knew where they stood since they had become a minority overnight, neither in terms of nationality, nor in terms of way of thinking. Their dual nationality was not immediately acceptable. As mentioned above, the glorification of the nation-state should be isolated to the Balkan region. By creating strong national identities among the citizens of the Balkan countries, we will sharply divide them and this seems to be the main goal of the majority of political parties today. Common national identity should refer to a common history, language and sense of belonging. Unfortunately, this feeling is impossible to achieve among Balkan citizens. Companies..