Gender, Citizenship and European Democracy

This paper both contributes to the theoretical debates and investigates the interplay between gender, citizenship and European democracy. It provides an overview of the concept of EU citizenship, its limits and potentials with regard to the enhancement of gender equal citizenship and it discusses manifestations of citizenship in practice –also called ‘lived citizenship’ in the context of EU politics. ‘Lived citizenship’ takes the analysis further as it transcends the European context and points towards transnational perspectives. Feminist contributions have identified three main elements of citizenship: rights (and responsibilities), belonging and participation and an emphasis on ‘lived’ experiences of citizenship (Halsaa, Roseneil & Sümer 2012; Lister et al. 2007; Siim & Squires 2008; Siim 2000; Strasser 2012). Feminist contributions also draw the attention to the exclusionary effects of citizenship. In the context of European integration, the notion of citizenship is intrinsically linked to democracy and participation in EU’s institutions and in European civil society. A full analysis of citizenship in Europe needs to entail a focus on ‘implementation’ from above by the political institutions of the EU and a focus on ‘bottom-up agentic processes’ as the ones related to social movements’ claims (Roseneil, Halsaa & Sümer 2012), European civil society and a vibrant public sphere.