Citizenship and democratic values in the EU

The link between citizenship and democratic values is key for understanding modern democratic societies. This relationship is characterised by complex interrelationships that shape both the theory and the practice of democratic governance. At its core, citizenship in democratic societies embodies more than just a legal status; it represents a dynamic relationship between the individual and the political community. As Aristotle’s classical concept suggests, the question of “who should be called a citizen and what a citizen really is” remains central to contemporary democratic discourse.

Linking citizenship and democratic values

The conceptual framework linking citizenship and democratic values rests on several foundations. As emphasised in the literature, citizenship serves as a mechanism for creating common ground between different identities while upholding the democratic principles of inclusivity and pluralism. This balance between unity and diversity represents a crucial conceptual bridge between citizenship and democratic values.

Citizenship also provides the basic structure through which democratic values can be exercised and realised and creates the space in which democratic practices can flourish. This practice requires active engagement with democratic processes and values. The Crick report (an influential document that drove the introduction of Citizenship Education in English schools), emphasised “the nature and practises of participation in democracy”, demonstrating how citizenship education serves as a vehicle for transmitting and reinforcing democratic values.

Furthermore, democratic values presuppose certain fundamental rights, while citizenship provides the framework through which these rights are protected and exercised. The relationship between citizenship and democratic values also encompasses the notion of collective identity and shared political culture.

Political participation and civic engagement

Another important connection lies in the area of political participation and civic engagement. Democratic values emphasise the importance of citizen participation in governance, where citizenship rights and responsibilities directly connect with democratic practices as well as personal and group empowerment (or agency). The relationship between citizenship and democratic values is also manifested in the civic virtues, as democracies require certain qualities from its citizens that match with democratic values. This match creates a strong bond in which citizenship practices reinforce democratic values and thus promote democratic citizenship.

The Treaty on European Union

In this sense, the Treaty on European Union establishes the character of the European Union as a unique democratic phenomenon based on “the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities” (European Union. 2012. Article 2 p17). With these values, the European Union endeavours to build a democratic society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail. However, its practical relevance rests on structures and programmes supporting this framework and, more importantly, its alignment with other competing transnational, national and local structures that can reinforce or neutralise these efforts.