Citizenship as Status vs Obligation

Modern debates over birthright and naturalization increasingly treat citizenship as a coveted status that confers benefits and social standing, not primarily as reciprocal obligations (defense, taxation, civic participation) emphasized by ancient polities. That shift changes who views reform as distributive politics (aspiring migrants, middle classes) versus symbolic/elite framing. — Framing citizenship as status reframes immigration, welfare, and national‑identity debates and predicts why policies like ending birthright citizenship become flashpoints across class and elite divides.