Who counts as one of us: citizenship from ancient Rome to civic nationalism
Gregory Aldrete calls integrating outsiders Rome's secret weapon, Anthony Kaldellis explains the edict that gave citizenship to all, Christopher Capozzola shows how World War I redefined American citizenship, Vivek Ramaswamy argues for civic nationalism over blood and soil, and Darryl Cooper describes America's renegotiated identity around immigration. Each case is an argument about who belongs and on what terms, which puts today's fights over immigration and national identity into a much longer story.
According to Aldrete, what did Rome do differently with conquered Italian cities? Show answer
Instead of destroying or subjugating them, Rome granted full or partial citizenship or alliance and demanded troops in return.
Why did one of Pyrrhus's officers compare fighting Rome to fighting a hydra? Show answer
Each time Rome lost an army, it simply raised another, because integrating defeated peoples gave it deep manpower.
How did non-citizen auxiliaries in the Roman army earn citizenship? Show answer
They earned it after 25 years of service, according to Aldrete.
Why does Aldrete say Rome's early integration was relatively easy? Show answer
The Italians it absorbed already spoke similar or the same languages and shared the same gods.
What did Caracalla do in 212 AD? Show answer
He extended Roman citizenship to essentially all free inhabitants of the empire. Kaldellis says perhaps a third at most had held it before.
What evidence does Kaldellis give that the Romans "meant it" with universal citizenship? Show answer
Within a generation, emperors and top officials were all provincials, something he compares to Britain hypothetically giving Indians full access to power in London.
What two meanings of citizenship does Capozzola distinguish? Show answer
Legal rights and obligations, and a more amorphous sense of belonging, feeling American and being willing to die for the country.
How did World War I change American citizenship, according to Capozzola? Show answer
It added the obligation to serve and, if asked, die for the country, and that in turn fueled demands for free speech and equality.
What are Ramaswamy's three arguments against blood-and-soil American identity? Show answer
It makes American exceptionalism impossible, it creates contradictions such as Native Americans out-claiming Mayflower descendants, and the Revolution shows people will fight for ideals.
What is Ramaswamy's main complaint about the current immigration system? Show answer
It rewards willingness to lie, such as false asylum claims, instead of choosing openly by economic and civic criteria.
How does Cooper's view of Ireland differ from his view of America? Show answer
He celebrates America's generational renegotiation of identity but argues real diversity means Ireland remaining Irish.