Citizenship is the main axis of modern political legitimacy... But for all its evident centrality to modern politics, it would be quite wrong to assume that citizenship itself is well understood... Paul Magnette's book offers an economical and illuminating guide through many of the elements which have gone into the intellectual and ideological history of modern citizenship. In doing so, he clearly surpasses any other recent analysis in any language known to me... This is a book to read closely and reflect on with the utmost care. It is our story; and to make a wiser future we must learn to understand it a great deal better. In that exacting and pressing task Paul Magnette's lucid and patient book offers nothing but help. John Dunn, University of Cambridge