Understanding Nationality, National Identity and Citizenship Anjali Sanyal Legal Article Thu, Jun 08, 2023, at ,03:20 PM INTRODUCTIONS Nationality refers to the legal or cultural identity of a person or a group of people. It typically involves a person’s country of birth, ancestry, ethnicity, or citizenship. Nationality plays a significant role in shaping a person’s identity, culture, and sense of belonging. Nationality carries legal implications, such as the right to vote, the right to work and reside in a country, and access to government services and benefits. It also involves duties and obligations such as paying taxes, obeying laws, and serving in the military. Nationality can also be a source of pride, identity, and a way to distinguish oneself from others. It can contribute to a sense of belonging to a community and foster a sense of national unity and patriotism.WHAT IS NATIONALITY ?Nationality is often confused with ethnicity, which refers to a person’s cultural and traditional heritage. Ethnicity is related to shared customs, traditions, and beliefs, while nationality is related to a legal and political association with a country or state. For example, a person can be of African ethnicity but have French nationality if they were born in France and hold a French passport.Nationality can be acquired in several ways, such as by birth, naturalization, or marriage. Birthright citizenship is when a person automatically acquires the nationality of the country where they were born. In contrast, naturalization is the process by which a person acquires a new nationality by fulfilling specific legal requirements such as residency, language proficiency, and passing a citizenship test. Marriage can also grant nationality if one spouse is a citizen of a particular country.However, nationality can also be a source of conflict, discrimination, and exclusion. Nationalism, the belief that one’s nation is superior to others, can lead to conflicts and even wars. Nationalism can also be used to justify discriminatory policies against minorities or immigrants.IMPORTANT OF NATIONALITY Nationality is important for several reasons: Identity: Nationality provides a sense of identity and belonging to a particular country or nation. It helps people define who they are and where they come from. Legal rights: Nationality is a legal concept that gives individuals certain rights and privileges, such as the right to vote, work, and travel freely within their country. Cultural heritage: Nationality is often associated with cultural heritage, including language, traditions, and customs. People may feel a strong attachment to their national culture, and nationality helps preserve and promote that culture. International relations: Nationality plays an important role in international relations, as countries interact with one another based on their respective national interests and identities. Security: Nationality is often used as a means of ensuring security and protecting the borders of a country. Governments may use nationality to control immigration and monitor individuals who enter and leave the country. Overall, nationality is an important concept that helps shape individuals’ identity and legal rights, preserve cultural heritage, and define relationships between countries.DIFFERENT BETWEEN NATIONALITY AND CITIZENSHIPNationality vs CitizenshipNationality and citizenship are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings and legal implications.Nationality refers to the status of belonging to a particular country or nation, based on factors such as birthplace, ancestry, or cultural affiliation. Nationality can be inherited or acquired through various means, such as marriage, naturalization, or descent.Citizenship, on the other hand, is a legal status that grants certain rights and privileges to an individual within a particular country. Citizenship is usually acquired through birth within a country, or by going through a naturalization process, which typically involves meeting certain residency and other requirements.While nationality and citizenship are often linked, they are not the same thing. An individual may have multiple nationalities, but can only hold citizenship in one country at a time. Additionally, the rights and obligations associated with citizenship can vary depending on the country in question.DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NATIONALITY AND NATIONAL INDENTITYNationality vs National IdentityNationality refers to the legal status of being a citizen of a particular country or nation. It is determined by factors such as place of birth, ancestry, or naturalization. Nationality provides an individual with legal rights and obligations, such as the right to vote, work, and receive protection from their country’s laws.On the other hand, national identity refers to an individual’s sense of belonging and loyalty to a particular nation or country. It is based on cultural, historical, and social factors that shape a person’s perception of their national identity. National identity is often expressed through shared values, beliefs, customs, traditions, and symbols.While nationality is a legal status that is granted by the state, national identity is a subjective feeling of belonging that is shaped by personal experiences, culture, and history. An individual may hold a certain nationality but identify with a different national identity, or may have multiple national identities due to their diverse background and experiences.DUAL NATIONALITYDual nationality, also known as dual citizenship, refers to the status of an individual who is a citizen of two or more countries at the same time. This can occur in several ways, such as through birth, marriage, or naturalization.Having dual nationality can provide several benefits, such as the ability to travel freely between countries, work and live in multiple countries, and access to the legal and social benefits of both countries.However, dual nationality can also create certain challenges and complications, such as conflicting obligations and loyalties, potential tax implications, and the possibility of being subject to different legal systems.The laws regarding dual nationality vary from country to country, and some countries do not recognize dual nationality at all. It is important to understand the laws and regulations surrounding dual nationality before seeking to obtain it or attempting to maintain it. CONCLUSION Nationality plays a significant role in shaping a person’s identity, culture, and sense of belonging. It can also have legal implications and be a source of pride and conflict. Understanding and respecting different nationalities can contribute to building a more inclusive and diverse society.REFERENCE https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populationandmigration/internationalmigration/methodologies/guidanceonusingcountryofbirthnationalityandpassportshelddata#:~:text=Nationality%20of%20a%20country%20is%20a%20legal%20status%20that%20usually,as%20dual%20or%20multiple%20nationality. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationality https://blog.ipleaders.in/nationality-under-international-law-all-you-need-to-know-about/