Difference Between Nationality and Citizenship

Nationality and citizenship are frequently confused concepts, necessitating a clear distinction between the two. Nationality pertains to a person's place of birth, indicating where they originate from and their affiliation with a particular country. On the other hand, citizenship is granted by a nation's government to individuals who fulfill the stipulated legal criteria, denoting their status as recognized members of that country.

What is Nationality?

Nationality denotes an individual's legal connection to a specific nation or state, influenced by factors such as birthplace, parental lineage, or the process of naturalization. This legal bond is frequently linked to one's cultural identity and feeling of belonging. Nationality, therefore, is essentially an ethnic and racial concept. However, it is crucial to note that nationality is also recognized as a fundamental human right.

As per the "United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights" (1948), every individual is entitled to possess a nationality, and no one should face arbitrary deprivation of it. It's important to distinguish nationality from citizenship, as citizenship typically refers to individuals with full political rights, unlike the broader concept of nationality.

What is Citizenship?

Participation in the affairs of a political community characterizes citizenship, which individuals obtain by fulfilling legal obligations set by national, state, or local authorities. Citizens enjoy numerous benefits and rights, including adherence to laws, defense of the nation during emergencies, and entitlement to privileges unique to each country. The significance and scope of citizenship vary globally, encompassing rights such as voting, eligibility for public office, and access to social welfare benefits like unemployment assistance.

Relationship

While "citizenship" and "nationality" are often used interchangeably, particularly in political contexts, there exists a notable distinction between the two. The term "nationality" is frequently employed to refer to state citizenship, as seen in nationality laws. This practice is widespread among many states, operating under the assumption that since they aspire to be "nation-states" where the boundaries of the nation and the state align, differentiating between the two is unnecessary. All citizens are also considered nationals.

However, in reality, the majority of modern states are multinational, with fewer than ten percent accurately fitting the definition of nation-states. Despite this, many states continue to portray themselves as nation-states due to the perceived political legitimacy associated with this status. The reasons behind this phenomenon are intricate but can be attributed to the growing importance of democratic governance norms and national self-determination in both domestic and international politics, dating back at least to the Treaty of Versailles following World War I.

Example

An evident scenario showcasing the difference between citizenship and nationality is when someone obtains citizenship through immigration, known as naturalization. In such cases, individuals may be required to renounce their previous citizenship according to the laws of both their original country and the new one. However, renouncing citizenship does not necessarily mean renouncing nationality. For instance, a person migrating from Germany to the United States may acquire American citizenship but still identify as German. This is because, historically, Germany required emigrants to relinquish their German citizenship before acquiring another. Therefore, individuals like Bruce Willis, who holds both German and American citizenship, are typically regarded as simply "American."

Another example arises in multinational states like Canada and the United Kingdom. While many citizens of these countries consider them their nations, a significant portion may identify with other national identities as well. For instance, Qu�b�cois, Aboriginal peoples, Acadians, English, Scots, Welsh, Irish, and Northern Irish may view their respective groups as their nations, alongside their citizenship in Canada or the UK.

Difference between Nationality and Citizenship

Conclusion

The primary distinction between nationality and citizenship lies in international legal definitions. Nationality refers to one's affiliation with a nation or sovereign state, typically obtained through birth or lineage. Conversely, citizenship entails the complete membership of an individual within a nation-state, granting rights like voting.