Freethinker Citizenship
Citizenship of The Freethinker Commonwealth is an unusual concept when compared to other modern, Western societies, in that it is not considered an automatic right for any natural citizen-born resident, but is in fact a position of status that can and must be actively acquired by anyone wishing to gain the rights granted to a citizen. Becoming a Freethinker citizen brings many entitlements and protections to an individual, but also places a signiciant set of responsibilities upon his or her shoulders, designed to ensure that each new citizen is aware of their responsibilities to both their nation and their fellow man.
Contents
What is Citizenship?
Because Citizenship is something that is not given as a right but has to be earned, the basic concept of what it means to be a citizen differ between other countries and the Commonwealth.
Citizens, Residents, and Minors
Oath of Representation
Rights
See Also: Freethinker Constitution
Commitments
When a person's citizenship is accepted, there a number of commitments to which new citizens are obligated for. Aside from the infamous National Service, duties such as voting, jury and magistrate obligations are also expected of citizens over the course of their lives.
National Service
National Service is the most dreaded but also the most important obligation of Citizenship, with new citizen's expected to provide, within a set period of time, a set amount of service for their country. Contrary to popular belief, this does not always entail military service and indeed many career paths can be undertaken whilst serving the state.
There is some controversy both internally and externally with the government and the state's right to accept and reject Citizenship for its residents, especially given the slant towards libertarianism within the present government and the populace at large.
Other Obligations
Dual Nationality
The Freethinker Commonwealth allows it's citizens to hold dual nationality with another Nation. Holding a dual nationality does not, however, remove the obligations a Freethinker has towards his state, including National Service. Failure to fulfil these obligations of the Oath of Representation can lead to a suspension of rights and even imprisonment should the person return to the Commonwealth and not complete his or her required service. In turn, gaining dual nationality with the Commonwealth does not exempt a person from commitments they may have for their original citizenship.
It should be noted that several nations do not allow their citizens to obtain dual nationality and as such acquiring Freethinker Citizenship may result in the loss of a person's original citizenship.
