A century ago, the legal concept of Canadian and Australian Citizenship as we understand it today did not exist. It was not until 1946 and 1948, respectively, that Canada and Australia adopted national citizenship, a move that allowed each country to define its own distinct character, and emphasize its independence from Britain and the Commonwealth. In this collection of essays, Canadian and Australian scholars examine the history, present, and future of citizenship in both countries. The book opens with two essays that examine the meaning and concept of citizenship, in both historical and contemporary contexts, and its relation to the state. The second section explores the early politics of citizenshipincluding examinations of civic debate, democracy, women as citizens, and culture. The third section includes essays on the challenges that traditional British notions of citizenship have faced in both countries, including aboriginal rights and multiculturalism. The collection ends with a look to the future of citizenship, including discussions of identity, governance, nation-building, and globalization. By contrasting and comparing similar issues in two similar countries, these erudite and thought-provoking essays show how much each country has to gain through discussion and collaboration.

From Subjects to Citizens: A Hundred Years of Citizenship in Australia and Canada PDF

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