Citizenship is a distinctively democratic ideal, for people as in a monarchy or a dictatorship is subjects and not citizens. Often democracy and citizenship are indistinguishable, though the former focuses on the institutions and precedures-political parties, electoral systems and the rule of law and constitutionl provision that enable citizens' active and full participation.
In modern times, citizens have a right to participate in politics and also a right to pursue their private commitments, besides their political commitment. In the modern period, citizenship connotes a status defined with reference to a set of particular rights and duties. It is also an identity, indicating one's membership in a political community. This identity is shared in common by different groups in a political community. This identity is shared in common by different groups in society and thus is integrative in nature. It conveys equal status and equal rights before the law. Expansion of citizenship rights helps to incorporate previously excluded groups, like the working class and women in society. Citizenship signifies membership and the participation of citizens in the collective affairs of their government.