Citizenship in Britain
Values, Participation and Democracy

A sophisticated discussion of the concept of citizenship and the consequences of a lack of civic engagement.

Charles Pattie (Author), Patrick Seyd (Author), Paul Whiteley (Author)

9780521534642, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 11 November 2004

366 pages, 93 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.49 kg

'… an impressive book that will be widely referenced over the next decade.' Representation

There are increasing concerns about changes in society and the economy which are undermining the effectiveness of democracy and weakening traditional conceptions of citizenship. What does it mean to be a British citizen in the early part of the twenty-first century? This book presents the first major empirical study of citizenship in Britain, comprising surveys of political participation and voluntary activities, and of the beliefs and values which underpin them. As well as presenting new data, the authors provide a sophisticated discussion of the concept of citizenship, and the consequences of a lack of civic engagement in a modern democracy. It examines why some people are 'good' citizens when others are 'bad' and it explores the consequences of citizenship for policy-makers and democracy. Comprehensive and accessible, this book makes a major contribution to our understanding of civic attitudes in Britain today and will appeal to students, researchers and policy-makers.

1. Theories of citizenship
Part I. Understanding Citizenship: 2. Civic beliefs and citizenship
3. Civic behaviour and citizenship: macro politics
4. Civic behaviour and citizenship: micro politics
Part II. Modelling Citizenship: 5. Alternative theories of citizenship
6. Testing rival theories of citizenship
Part III. The Consequences of Citizenship: 7. So what? The consequences
8. The dynamics of citizenship
9. Conclusions.

Subject Areas: Civil rights & citizenship [JPVH1], Politics & government [JP], Social issues & processes [JFF]