Transformation of Citizenship, Volume 1

The Transformation of Citizenship addresses the basic question of how we can make sense of citizenship in the twenty-first century. These volumes make a strong plea for a reorientation of the sociology of citizenship and address serious threats of an ongoing erosion of citizenship rights. Arguing from different scientific perspectives, rather than offering new conceptions of citizenship as supposedly more adequate models of rights, membership and belonging, they deal with both the ways citizenship is transformed and the ways it operates in the face of fundamentally transformed conditions. This volume Political Economy discusses manifold consequences of a decades-long enforcement of neo-liberalism for the rights of citizens. As neo-liberalism not only means a new form of economic system, it has to be conceived of as an entirely new form of global, regional and national governance that radically transforms economic, political and social relations in society. Its consequences for citizenship as a social institution are no less than dramatic. Against the background of both manifest and ideological processes the book looks at if citizenship has lost the basis it has rested upon for decades, or if the institution itself is in a process of being fundamentally transformed and restructured, thereby changing its meaning and the significance of citizens’ rights. This book will appeal to academics working in the field of political theory, political sociology and European studies.

This is a timely, sharp and important collection of chapters, exploring the tremendous impact that neo-liberalism has had on our lives as economic citizens – from monetary union, through social insurance, to consumer democracy. This volume is essential reading for anyone who wants to engage with the deep penetration of neo-liberal structures and systems into the social, political and economic fabric of a whole range of different societies. (Nigel Dodd, London School of Economics)An impressive assemblage of authors, tackle a frightening question: can the institution of citizenship, so long the cornerstone of modern political and social institutions, be dismantled in the course of a few decades? Their insights create a foundation for a debate that must be engaged, not just by social scientists, but by everyone who values their citizenship. (Peter Evans, Professor Emeritus, University of California at Berkeley)By now, neo-liberalism has left a deep imprint not only on the economy but also on the social structure of most countries around the world. This excellent volume looks at one aspect of this process, namely the way that the current notion of citizenship has been redefined and challenged by neo-liberalism. This volume is a very valuable and useful resource for students and researchers. (Richard Swedberg, Cornell University)

Jürgen Mackert is Professor of Sociology at the Faculty of Economics and the Social Sciences, and Co-Director of the Centre for Citizenship, Social Pluralism and Religious Diversity at Potsdam University, Germany. Bryan S. Turner is a professor in the Institute for Religion, Politics and Society at the Australian Catholic University, Melbourne and the Director of the Centre for Citizenship, Social Pluralism and Religious Diversity at Potsdam University, Germany. He is the Max Planck Research Award Winner of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the Max Planck Society 2015. He is Honorary Professor at Potsdam University, Germany.