Exploring Citizenship and Exclusion: The Dynamics of State Power and Administrative Practices

Citizenship indeed provides a sense of belonging, but as Marshall discusses, it is more than just a feeling—it's a status conferred upon members of a community, ensuring equality among possessors in terms of associated rights and duties. Marshall argues that citizenship comprises civil, political, and social rights, with civil rights guaranteeing individual freedoms, political rights enabling participation in governance, and social rights ensuring economic welfare. The 20th century witnessed a shift towards recognizing social rights, challenging hierarchical class systems, and revealing patterns of exclusion inherent in the evolution of citizenship, particularly affecting marginalized groups and women. Exclusion seems to be the antithesis of citizenship, which is viewed as inclusive. This paper explores the nuanced differences between exclusion, omission, and elimination, examining state practices across different contexts and their implications for marginalized groups. It discusses how state capacity influences the choice of exclusionary strategies and considers the varying impacts of these strategies on social groups. By analyzing cases from Germany, Malaysia, India, Israel, and the UK, the paper provides a comparative study of exclusionary practices and their outcomes, contributing to the theoretical understanding of citizenship and state power.