№ 5 - 2004
Malinova O.Yu.
Citizenship and Politicizing of Cultural Differences (Reflections a propos of Some Tendencies in English-Language Political Philosophy)

One of the aspects of modern theories of citizenship comes to attempting to adapt this institution — which traditionally would present one of the principal mechanisms of “universalizing” the status of individuals — to the challenges that have ensued from politicizing of cultural differences. Basing on the analysis of English-language politico-philosophical literature, with, also, some sociological and historical works considered, the author demonstrates that in recent years, liberal political theories have incorporated the principle of “equal” recognition of different groups’ identities. Meanwhile, in accordance with the precepts of modern liberal philosophers, the only right that is to be considered as belonging with the status of citizen, is the right to recognition presupposing equal attitude to claims, but not equal result. The question of which group deserves recognition and in what form, cannot be solved once and for all on a level of principle: it’s a question of politics, not of law. Mechanism of its solution is negotiations, which are always “temporal and spatial”. So, according to the author’s conclusion, it’s rather civil participation practices further developing that are implied by the processes discussed, than the integral institution of citizenship being destroyed.