In the book, “American Citizenship: the Quest for Inclusion,” by Judith N. Shklar, Shklar places emphasis on the fact that America was founded upon the principles of freedom and equality, yet excluded various groups of people based on economic status, gender, race and religion, and many people were enslaved. Shklar recounts the circumstances these people endured in order to gain citizenship, economic independence and ultimately the right to vote.
Born to Jewish parents in Latvia, Shklar immigrated to the US when she was 13. She went on to attend McGill University and Harvard University and later became a professor and political theorist. Shklar provides a unique perspective on citizenship because she, like many other Americans, faced challenges…