This article was first published by De Rebus – Pages 58-59 in June Journal 2025
The advantages to countries permitting, offering and even encouraging dual and multiple citizenships are numerous and prolific. Embracing such options aligns with democratic principles, upholds ethical standards and offers significant strategic and economic advantages.
Through the multiple lenses of normative democratic theory, natural justice and human rights, migrant integration and social cohesion, and economic and strategic imperatives, well known academic scholars in the field including Dr Joachim Blatter, David Owen, Christian Barry, Maurizio Ambrosini, Iseult Honohan, and others have argued in recent papers that multiple citizenship enriches democratic participation, promotes human rights, and offers tangible social and economic benefits to the countries in which they reside.
The traditional notion of citizenship as exclusive allegiance to a single nation-state is increasingly challenged by the realities of global interconnectedness, transnational migration and the complex identities of individuals. While some argue that dual and multiple citizenships may dilute national identity and loyalty, this contention overlooks the compelling democratic, ethical, economic and strategic advantages of embracing multiple citizenships.
Joachim Blatter’s seminal work, “Dual Citizenship and Theories of Democracy,” ((2011). Citizenship Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/13621025.2011.600090) evaluated dual citizenship from the perspective of five normative theories of democracy: liberal, republican, deliberative, multicultural, and communitarian. Blatter argues that liberal and republican theories support dual or multiple citizenship by emphasising individual autonomy and civic participation respectively. Multicultural and deliberative theories further endorse it by valuing plural identities and inclusive dialogue. Only communitarian theorists express concern, fearing that dual citizenship may undermine national cohesion. However, Blatter shows that empirical evidence directly contradicts these fears, suggesting that multiple citizenships can stimulate innovation and economic growth in democratic theory and practice.
David Owen, in his “Transnational Citizenship and the Democratic State: Modes of Membership and Voting Rights.” ((2011). Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy. https://doi.org/10.1080/13698230.2011.617123) addresses the inclusion of resident non-citizens and non-resident citizens within the democratic population. He identifies the “arbitrary demos problem”: questioning who determines the boundaries of the political community and the rights of its members. Owen advocates for a transnational approach to citizenship that recognises the global interconnectedness of individuals and political entities, thereby enhancing democratic legitimacy and participation. Owen critiques the traditional notion of the demos, or populace, as confined to the territorial state and proposes a more inclusive model that accommodates transnational affiliations. He argues that resolving these issues requires a normative basis that recognises the legitimacy of transnational citizenship, thereby enhancing democratic legitimacy and ensuring that all affected individuals have a fair voice in political processes.
Iseult Honohan, in her work “Just what’s wrong with losing citizenship? Examining revocation of citizenship from a non-domination perspective,” ((2020). Citizenship Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/13621025.2019.1700045) argues that a republican non-domination perspective provides a strong presumption against states’ powers to revoke citizenship. She contends that losing citizenship removes a person’s security against many kinds of state interference and abuse, exposes them to an increased risk of private domination by other agents, and constitutes the exercise of arbitrary power. This underscores the justice and human rights perspective and accentuates the importance of maintaining multiple citizenships to protect individuals from arbitrary state actions, prompting greater personal security and autonomy.
Christian Barry’s work on global justice and human rights ((2005). Justice Between the States: A Defence of the Cosmopolitan Ideal. Oxford University Press.) underscores the ethical imperative of recognising multiple citizenships. He argues that individuals often have legitimate interests and attachments to more than one country, contends that justice should not be confined to national borders and that individuals’ rights and duties extend beyond the state. Denying them the right to multiple citizenships can be seen as an infringement on their personal autonomy and freedom. By permitting dual and multiple citizenships, nations acknowledge the complex identities of individuals and uphold their rights to participate in multiple political communities.
Maurizio Ambrosini’s research on migration and integration ((2013). Migration and Integration: The Role of Dual Citizenship. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2013.765674) highlights the role of multiple citizenships in facilitating the integration of migrants. He highlights the challenges faced by migrants, including legal barriers to citizenship and the complexities of entering a new society. He finds that where migrants are allowed to retain their original nationality, they more readily and frequently engage in the civic and political life of their new country. This dual affiliation enhances their sense of belonging and contributes to social cohesion. Ambrosini also notes that multiple citizenships can help preserve familial and cultural ties, further supporting integration and reducing the potential for marginalisation.
Beyond normative and ethical considerations, there are practical benefits for states that permit dual and multiple citizenships:
- Economic prosperity and development: Dual citizens frequently act as bridges between countries, facilitating trade, investment, and remittances. Their transnational networks stimulate economic growth and development in both their countries of origin and residence.
- Brain gain and talent circulation: Permitting dual citizenship mitigates brain drain by encouraging skilled individuals to return either intermittently or permanently to their country of origin, cross-pollinating valuable expertise and resources.
- Diplomatic influence and soft power: Countries with significant diasporas benefit from enhanced diplomatic ties and soft power. Dual citizens often serve as informal ambassadors, promoting their countries’ interests abroad.
- Administrative efficiency and legal clarity: Recognising dual citizenship allows for more accurate record-keeping and the provision of consular services, ensuring that citizens abroad receive appropriate support and protection.
Embracing dual and multiple citizenships aligns with democratic principles, upholds ethical standards, and offers economic and strategic advantages to countries. By recognising the complex identities of individuals and the interconnectedness of the global community, countries foster inclusive, just and prosperous societies. The incisive works of Blatter, Owen, Honohan, Barry, and Ambrosini provide compelling arguments for the benefits of multiple citizenships, urging policymakers to reconsider restrictive citizenship laws in favour of more inclusive approaches.
