To Judith Shklar, among all the compnents of citizenship, there are two that are most important - the right to vote, and the right to earn. In regards to the former, in her mind, the act of voting is much less important than having the right to vote, a belief starkly contrasted by Tocqueville. By earning, she means being remunerated for labor. She says that by this definition, aristocrats and beggars cannot be true citizens because they to not earn based upon their own labor; artistocrats - based upon the efforts of others, and beggars - based upon handouts from the money of others. At times, her point is very hard to find, and at other times it seems like she just goes on and on. But overall, I know more for having read it.

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Brilliant exposition of the changing assumptions of citizenship in our country, especially as it relates to equality, property and employment.

completely net expectations

A wonderful analysis and summary of how citizenship has been defined in political theory, and how it was developed in the United States. In the United State, Shklar says that there are two fundamental requirements to citizenship: voting and the ability to earn wages. She maintains that this definition was developed in conjunction with, and was influenced by, chattel slavery. Slavery became one of the signal ways in which non- freedom was defined. She brings in the voices of those who were forbidden to vote: poor white men, blacks, and women. This is a highly readable and very accessible volume. Highly recommended for its analysis, historical sweep, and brevity.