Rights, Duties, and Privileges Accompanying Citizenship

            From the above discussion, it is inferred that citizenship creates a myriad of rights and duties on the part of the citizen and the state. From discussing these rights and responsibilities in the abstract, this part will concretize some of the rights and duties that arise from a “citizen-state” relationship.

            Citizens of a country have the right to exercise civil and political rights.  Examples of this include the right to vote, the right to have an education, the right to choose one’s housing, and the right to choose one’s occupation.

            Corollary to these rights, citizens also have duties to the state.  For instance, a citizen is expected to serve his or her country when needed.  A citizen must obey the laws of his community, his state, and his country.  Also, a citizen is expected to pay the taxes required by the laws of the country.

            Privileges are also accorded to the citizens of a country.  Among others, citizens enjoy the following privileges: to live in a free country, to run for public office and to worship in a manner which one chooses.  The right to vote is both a duty and a privilege.[1]