Citizenship and Social Class

According to T.H. Marshal in order for any person or group to achieve equal rights the judicial system must play a very important role, they are the one main element needed for any one groups right to be enforced and implemented. As per marshal equal rights is only achieved when any group or person can execute political “power”, in other words to have a voice and a vote. He also that in order for a group or individual to enjoy equal rights they must be part of a major group and be participant of its legislations and enjoy all benefits whether social economic and be able to enjoy the benefits of being such a member. 

Interestingly enough while T.H. Marshal was attempting to trace back to see the birth of citizenship he broke citizenship down into three major groups civil, political, and social. He attempted to show that civil rights came first, then political, rights and later social.  Marshal stated that social rights were somewhat unaddressed until the development and implementation of public education. It seems that T.H. Marshal uncovered that the social aspect of equality was not advancing at the same rate as the civil and political aspect. It seems that social equality was not being addressed with the same sense of urgency as were the other two aspects.

According to T.H. Marshall Citizenship is a Status that is bestowed upon members of society and whom enjoy the same status of equal rights and duties as other members of this society. Meaning that Citizenship is a “guarantee” that you will be treated equally as other members of your society and you have the same obligations as other members.  According to Marshal there is no universal principle of what Citizenship should look like but ideally citizenship should   reflect a measure of equality in which all Citizens enjoy the same privileges and responsibilities. In a society of equal rights there should not be differences in the way an individual is treated because of race, or gender. Unfortunately this sense of equality does not carry over when it pertains to class equality. According to Marshal Class equality is very similar to Citizenship as they are both based on a set of values and ideals and as such may bring forth conflicts between opposing principles. To my understanding class and Citizenship are both based on principles that are imposed or implemented by those who have more power and will be opposed by those who disagree. Citizenship should reflect the principles of all its citizens and not just those who have power.

Citizenship at its earliest form was designed as a principle of equality, however as is usually present when men attempt to empower themselves over others equal rights take a back seat to the desires of others to be in control. Capitalism was a conduit for separation of classes. As some people began to accumulate fortunes and power separation of classes also grew and this also led to separation of rights.