Political Science Essay: Dual Citizenship and Its Impact

This essay delves into the multifaceted concept of dual citizenship, exploring its significance within the realm of political science. The author examines the phenomenon of individuals holding dual citizenships across the globe, highlighting both the advantages and disadvantages associated with this status. The essay acknowledges that numerous countries permit dual citizenship and discusses the legal frameworks that govern this practice. It explores the positive aspects, such as fostering bilateral relations, and the negative aspects, including potential security risks and political manipulation. The essay also discusses how dual citizenship can arise automatically, such as through birthright, and the eligibility requirements for obtaining it. It considers the ethical implications, including concerns about political influence and financial burdens. The author concludes that while dual citizenship can be beneficial, strict oversight and background checks are essential to prevent misuse and ensure positive outcomes. The essay is well-researched and supported by references.

Running head: POLITICAL SCIENCE
Political Science
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Dual citizenship has been a very controversial factor for the political considerations
between different countries. It has been observed that numerous persons all over the world hold
dual citizenships and they use it for different purposes.
In this essay, the significance of holding dual citizenships will be explored by pointing
out both the positive and negative points of this dual citizenship.
There are several countries in the world that permit their citizens to hold he dual
citizenships. Some examples of these countries are Angola, Albania, Italy, Canada, Chile,
Bulgaria, Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Pakistan, Portugal, United
Kingdom, United States and others (Rattansi: 37).
There are both advantages and disadvantages of holding the dual citizenships by people.
Sometimes it is good for creating a bilateral bonding between two countries and sometimes it
results in terrorist activities in many countries.
All these perspectives should be put inder the lens to justify the activities that are done
after getting the dual citizenships (Kymlicka: 25).. The context of dual citizenship takes place in
many cases automatically.
If a child is born in Australia and his parents belong to some other nation, that child
automatically becomes the citizen of Australia as well as of his parents’ nation. The laws of the
concerned countries will be the main reason behind granting the permission for dual citizenships
(Vink: 221).
According to the critics, dual citizenship has mixed effects on the society as well as
political sphere of the countries (Kymlicka: 25).. A person has to meet all the eligibility

2POLITICAL SCIENCE
requirements to be the citizen of a nation other than his home. Dual citizenship could be gained
by people by following some legal formats like holding the green card of the country or staying
there for more than three years (Rattansi: 78).
A person can also become a dual citizen if he marries the citizen of another country and
live there for a long time. A dual citizen will be able to enjoy the benefits issued by both the
countries and utilize on the privileges provided (Leblang: 80). They could be able to access
social services of both the countries.
They can also take part in the election procedures and have the rights to elect their
representatives in both the countries. The concerned individuals can own properties in both the
countries because of dual passports that are offered by both countries.
Most critics have pointed out the fact that providing dual citizenships to a person is
completely an unethical activity. When a person acquires the rights to be a citizen other than his
country, people of that native country will be deprived of several facilities indeed.
Another problem that will be faced by countries in providing rights to people of other
countries to vote is the political manipulation (Kymlicka: 25).
An influential person can definitely be able to use his influence in other countries during
the times of voting. Critics believe that cost of dual citizenship will be cheaper if it is not
restricted within the home states of individuals. Thus it will be financially problematic for both
countries precisely (Rattansi: 56).

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On the other hand, problematic situations can arise if a specific person having access to
government records can manipulate the information for his or her benefits. They might also
tamper these records also (Harpaz and Mateos: 850).
This is an extremely unethical activity and it is about misusing their access. Political
influences will be the biggest problems that countries will face. Similarly, an individual will
have to pay his taxes in both the nations and it will be quite problematic for him by all manners.
However, it will be easier for that person to travel to both nations also. This signifies the
fact that people will face both the facilities and problems regarding the use of dual citizenship. A
good thing that can be said regarding the usefulness o dual citizenship is people can learn from
the cultures of both nations (Kymlicka: 25).
On the contrary, it has been found in some cases that terrorist organizations use these
rights of dual citizenship to send their agents in disguise and plot for terrorist activities (Harpaz
and Mateos: 850). Therefore, it is the opinion of the critics that governments should have a
thorough background check of individuals who appeal for dual citizenships.
Lack of awareness among the government officials and providing dual citizenship rights
with dual passports might cause negative outcomes in terms of their security (Rattansi: 56). Then
it can be said that dual citizenship rights are useful to a certain extent and government is
responsible for ensuring that it is not misused.
In the concluding part of the essay, it could be said that dual citizenship rights have been
an effective political right for individuals over the years. The rights should be handed over to
people after checking the validity of their reasons for applications. Strictness must be applied to
ensure positive outcome of providing dual citizenship rights.

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References
Alarian, Hannah M., and Sara Wallace Goodman. "Dual citizenship allowance and migration
flow: An origin story." Comparative Political Studies 50.1 (2017): 133-167.
Faist, Thomas. "Dual citizenship: change, prospects, and limits." Dual Citizenship in Europe.
Routledge, 2016. 187-216.
Faist, Thomas. "The fixed and porous boundaries of dual citizenship." Dual citizenship in
Europe. Routledge, 2016. 17-60.
Harpaz, Yossi, and Pablo Mateos. "Strategic citizenship: negotiating membership in the age of
dual nationality." (2019): 843-857.
Harpaz, Yossi. "Compensatory citizenship: dual nationality as a strategy of global upward
mobility." Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 45.6 (2019): 897-916.
Kymlicka, Will. Multicultural citizenship: A liberal theory of minority rights. Clarendon Press,
1995.
Leblang, David. "Harnessing the diaspora: dual citizenship, migrant return
remittances." Comparative Political Studies 50.1 (2017): 75-101.
Rattansi, Ali. Multiculturalism: A very short introduction. OUP Oxford, 2011.
Spiro, Peter J. At home in two countries: The past and future of dual citizenship. Vol. 11. NYU
Press, 2016.
Vink, Maarten. "Comparing citizenship regimes." The Oxford Handbook of Citizenship (2017):
221.