10/31 Equal Rights

10/31 Equal Rights

"Citizenship, even in its early forms, was a principle of equality, and that during this period it was a developing institution. Starting at the point where all men were free and, in theory, capable of enjoying rights, it grew by enriching the body of rights which they were capable of enjoying.  But these rights did not conflict with the inequalities of capitalist society; they were, on the contrary, necessary to the maintenance of that particular form of inequality" …...Thus although citizenship, even by the end of the nineteenth century, had done little to reduce social inequality, it had helped to guide progress.." (T.H. MARSHALL) 


According to Marshall by ensuring social rights and material well-being, welfare state policies can enable all to participate as citizens. Citizenship at its base was meant to create equality and reduce social inequality. Even Though we are not an equal society we are taking steps in that direction.  
Social citizenship in the U.S is expressed through the model of a welfare state.  At its core, it meant to help develop a just society where everyone take an active part of political life. His analysis of the principal elements of citizenship is used and applied today.Social citizenship is obtained and maintain through "welfare market" where people  become consumers of welfare benefits such as  health benefit and social care. Even though the main purpose of welfare is to reduce extremes economic inequalities, which will support democracy by protecting its citizens and promote active engagement, it ironically contribute to political disadvantage of some groups such as black or Hispanic. Another problem of a welfare state is the fact that it promotes passive dependency of the minority, which are the main consumers of welfare, on the state and its officials.