CITIZENSHIP AND NATIONHOOD, NATIONHOOD AND CITIZENSHIP A Comparative Study of Citizenship Legislation in Finland and Sweden

Abstract

The European Union treaties stipulate the existence of common EU citizenship. However the requirements and conditions of citizenship acquisition and denaturalisation remain largely in the hand of the nation states. Due to the privileges of the EU citizenship, mostly relating to the freedom of movement and rights to consular aid overseas, it is in the interest of the member states to have an overview on aforementioned requirements and conditions. Meanwhile, there is extensive research on European citizenship regimes and the historical development of the notions of citizenship and nationhood within the nation-state paradigm, both often focused on Western Europe. This study aims to connect the two fields through a qualitative examination of Finnish and Swedish citizenship legislation, consisting of an examination and comparison of premises of acquisition at birth, through discretion and naturalisation, and premises for involuntary denaturalisation. It is then finished by a discussion regarding which ideas of nationhood are implied therein. The comparison is when most relevant complemented by an analysis of the intention of the given provision, through the reading of the preceding proposition of given provision.