Why Naturalisation?

Abstract

This article focuses on the linkage between institutional and normative dimensions of ‘Europeanisation’ and examines the UK Government White Paper; entitled ‘Secure Borders, Safe Haven’ (Home Office, 2002). The article reviews the migration policy under the Blair government. It argues that all existing forms of definitions derived from naturalisation remain too national‐statist orientated and therefore are limited in addressing the new challenges which are needed to transcend the nationality model of citizenship. The author suggests, based on the examination of naturalisation laws throughout the EU generally and particularly in Britain, an automatic civic registration, conditioned on domicile and the absence of criminal convictions only. The article illustrates how naturalisation laws, however evolutionary, place too much emphasis on social cohesion which they equate with belonging and citizenship ‐ thus overlooking the fact that sense of belonging develops with inclusion in society rather than by declarations or language proficiency tests. © 2003 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.