While there is much substance to this
claim, it is partial. The liberal theory of
citizenship that emphasizes individual rights
is only one version of citizenship theory.
Historically the working class has often
mobilized behind the discourse of citizenship
to claim collective social rights, and citizenship
as a set of institutions does not necessarily
separate social and economic rights.
On the contrary, the thrust behind modern
citizenship has been to create a welfare state
to achieve equality between citizens. Thus,
the task of rebuilding civil society (or a
public sphere) cannot be achieved without
dynamic forms of citizenship.