This article analyses the impact of globalisation on the
changing role of citizenship as a state-centred mechanism of
societal integration. As more diverse forms of society emerged
in the second half of the last century, national citizenship
came under assault by identity-based social groups from
within. They function as integrative mechanisms for those
members of society who diverge from the majority position
and are committed to replace the nation-state as the dominant
integrative device. From without, vast movements of peoples
across borders in search of jobs and refuge constitute an even
more serious challenge to the traditional notion of citizenship.
With reference to the current EU debates about immigration
and the idea of a UN Global Compact, the article explores
principles of societal integration that transcend the boundaries
of national citizenship and involve a governance paradigm
built on civil society and voluntary action.