Disconnected Citizenship? The Impacts of Anti-Terrorism Policy on Citizenship in the UK. (October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jarvis, Lee; Lister, Michael
• Is Part Of: Political studies. Volume 61:Number 3(2013:Sep.)
• Page Start: 656
• Page End: 675
• Publication Date: 2013-10
• Subjects: anti-terrorism -- citizenship -- rights -- participation -- identity; Political science -- Periodicals; 320.5
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9248.2012.00993.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-3217

Abstract

This article draws on primary focus group data from the UK to offer three contributions to recent debate on the impact of anti-terrorism measures on citizenship. First, it presents a qualitatively rich account of citizens' own perspectives on this relationship. Second, it explores the significance of ethnic identity in relation to public attitudes. Finally, it traces the implications of anti-terrorism initiatives upon multiple dimensions of citizenship including participation, identity and duties as much as rights. The article argues that citizens from a range of ethnic minority backgrounds, and thus not only Muslims, believe that anti-terrorism measures have directly curtailed and diminished their citizenship. This is in contrast to white participants who, while not untroubled about the impact of these measures, generally viewed this as a concern distanced from their everyday lives. This difference suggests that anti-terrorism measures may be contributing to a condition of disconnected citizenship in the UK.