Citizen

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Revision as of 06:35, 2 August 2007 by imported>Roger A. Lohmann (Add sentences)
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A citizen is a legally recognized member of a political or civil community. In general, citizens may be native (born in the community) or naturalized (immigrants).

In ancient Greece citizens were contrasted with helots, or non-resident aliens. In the U.S. and other modern political communities aspiring to universal citizenship, the category of non-citizen residents is very small and most adult men and women are regarded as citizens.

The term need not be limited to recognized members of nation states. Thus, recognized contributors to Citizendium are, indeed, citizens.