Head or heart? Unpacking the subjective dimension of citizenship acquisition: insights from migrants’ narratives in Spain
This article explores the subjective dimension of citizenship acquisition by analyzing how migrants in Spain feel about becoming citizens. Our research shows that the subjective dimension of citizenship is embedded in a complex constellation of strategic choices and affective motivations that cannot...
| Autores: | , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Estado: | Versión publicada |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2025 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) |
| Repositorio: | DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:digital.csic.es:10261/387977 |
| Acceso en línea: | http://hdl.handle.net/10261/387977 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Citizenship regime Naturalization Migrants’ narratives Affective citizenship Strategic citizenship Spain Immigrants |
| Sumario: | This article explores the subjective dimension of citizenship acquisition by analyzing how migrants in Spain feel about becoming citizens. Our research shows that the subjective dimension of citizenship is embedded in a complex constellation of strategic choices and affective motivations that cannot be analyzed in dichotomic terms. While migrants seek legal security, equal rights and better jobs, becoming citizens makes them feel more secure and increases their well-being. Moreover, citizenship acquisition has a performative effect that goes beyond just being accepted as members of the polity, and includes a sense of recognition and a sense of duty. Migrants’ narratives also show that expectations of social integration are countered by a persistent sense of otherness, especially in the case of racialized migrants. This article contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the subjective dimension of citizenship by unpacking the motivations, expectations, and affects of citizenship acquisition. |
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