Citizens of elsewhere, everywhere and . . . nowhere? Rethinking Union citizenship in light of Brexit

Abstract

This article seeks to determine the extent to which the communitarian form of life expressed in the Brexit vote is compatible with Union citizenship. It is argued that, amongst other things, Brexit expressed a desire for a communitarian form of life, broadly speaking. Union citizenship is presented as a constitutionalised transnational status embodying values of integration and autonomy and displaying certain cosmopolitan features. Union citizenship thus conceived poses problems for a communitarian political community as expressed in Brexit. The conclusion reflects on broader global trends in citizenship and on possible avenues for the future direction of Union citizenship.