1 Alqahtani Part I The author has indicated that the changing social conditions reshape the norms of what it means to be a good citizen, and this affects how citizens act and think about politics. The author asserts that the characteristics of an engaged citizen are the citizens who act independently, are assertive, and are concerned with others. Furthermore, engaged citizens are enthusiastic on other people. on social concerns and the welfare of others. For instance, the volunteers of the devastating Hurricane Katrina proved that many Americans feel that they are engaged in society even if they do not vote. Engaged citizenship may promote other forms of political action, ranging from volunteerism to public protest. On the contrast, the duty-based citizen characteristics are the citizens who vote, pay taxes, and obey the law. Dalton refers the act of citizens typically focused on the traditional norms as duty-based citizens because these norms reflect the formal obligations, responsibilities, and rights of citizenship as they have been defined in the past (Dalton, pg. 5). However, the distinction between the engaged citizen and the duty-based citizen is that the engaged citizens have norms emerging among the American public with increasing prominence. Furthermore, Dalton discusses the various forms of participation by good citizens. Participation is a prime criterion for defining the democratic citizen and his or her role within the political process, and it is central to the philosophical literature on democracy (Dalton, pg. 26). Participation is much more than voting because it includes being involved in social or political organizations. In addition, participation include choosing products for political, ethical, or environmental reasons even if they cost more (Dalton, pg. 26). Another category within participation is autonomy. The various forms of norms suggest that some forms of participation such as voting are influenced by individuals that are law-abiding citizens. However, participation differs between the duty-based citizen and the engaged citizens. Duty-based citizenship reflects traditional notions of republican citizenship. In fact, previous studies of voting turnout indicate that feelings of citizen duty are a strong stimulus of voting (Dalton, pg. 26). In addition, the participation of the duty-based citizen reflects obeying the law, never evading taxes, voting in elections, and serving in the military. On the contrast, engaged citizenship includes many forms of citizenships. Thus, engaged citizen’s participation is centered in non-electoral activities such as being active in civil society groups and buying products for political or ethical reasons (Dalton, pg. 29). The engaged citizens participate in watching the government, understand others, and being actively involved in associations. Citizen duty decreases among younger generations, and engaged citizenship increases among the young. The younger generation are highl ...

1. 1
Alqahtani
Part I
The author has indicated that the changing social
conditions reshape the norms of what it means to be a good
citizen, and this affects how citizens act and think about
politics. The author asserts that the characteristics of an
engaged citizen are the citizens who act independently, are
assertive, and are concerned with others. Furthermore, engaged
citizens are enthusiastic on other people. on social concerns and
the welfare of others. For instance, the volunteers of the
devastating Hurricane Katrina proved that many Americans feel
that they are engaged in society even if they do not vote.
Engaged citizenship may promote other forms of political
action, ranging from volunteerism to public protest. On the
contrast, the duty-based citizen characteristics are the citizens
who vote, pay taxes, and obey the law. Dalton refers the act of
citizens typically focused on the traditional norms as duty-based
citizens because these norms reflect the formal obligations,
responsibilities, and rights of citizenship as they have been
defined in the past (Dalton, pg. 5). However, the distinction
between the engaged citizen and the duty-based citizen is that
the engaged citizens have norms emerging among the American
public with increasing prominence.
Furthermore, Dalton discusses the various forms of
participation by good citizens. Participation is a prime criterion
for defining the democratic citizen and his or her role within the
political process, and it is central to the philosophical literature
on democracy (Dalton, pg. 26). Participation is much more than
voting because it includes being involved in social or political
organizations. In addition, participation include choosing
products for political, ethical, or environmental reasons even if

2. they cost more (Dalton, pg. 26). Another category within
participation is autonomy.
The various forms of norms suggest that some forms of
participation such as voting are influenced by individuals that
are law-abiding citizens. However, participation differs between
the duty-based citizen and the engaged citizens. Duty-based
citizenship reflects traditional notions of republican citizenship.
In fact, previous studies of voting turnout indicate that feelings
of citizen duty are a strong stimulus of voting (Dalton, pg. 26).
In addition, the participation of the duty-based citizen reflects
obeying the law, never evading taxes, voting in elections, and
serving in the military. On the contrast, engaged citizenship
includes many forms of citizenships. Thus, engaged citizen’s
participation is centered in non-electoral activities such as
being active in civil society groups and buying products for
political or ethical reasons (Dalton, pg. 29). The engaged
citizens participate in watching the government, understand
others, and being actively involved in associations.
Citizen duty decreases among younger generations, and
engaged citizenship increases among the young. The younger
generation are highly involved in participatory values and are
reshaping politics in the United States. Previous research
suggests that respect for authority and the rule of law is
stronger among older Americans and weaker among the young
and the emphasis on voting may be strongest among older
generations socialized during a period when this was considered
a primary duty of citizenship (Dalton, pg. 30). Moreover,
another predictor for tolerance is age, or generation. The
younger generations are more tolerant than older generations
who are less tolerant.
The millennials are highly engaged in citizenship and
appear to the most highly educated generation in American
history. In addition, the millennials have benefited from their
elders. Millennials are more supportive of the protection of civil
liberties, autonomy, and social solidarity as norms of
citizenship and more supportive of participation beyond

3. elections by being politically tolerant (Dalton, pg. 185). The
millennials are more supportive of democracy.
In addition, Dalton has discussed the difference between
being a citizen and being a good citizen. A citizen can be
anyone who is an American. However, an engaged citizen is a
good citizen because they have a more assertive role for the
citizen. A good citizen is someone who respect the laws, votes,
pay taxes, and is committed to contributing to their country.
The author has stated that, “a “good citizen” felt a duty to vote
and support the government (Dalton, pg. 178) Therefore, a good
citizen is highly productive and this is the difference between
simply being a citizen. The author has also emphasized that
someone who serves in the military is also a good citizen.
Part II
Using Dalton’s two definitions of a good citizen, I would
define a “good citizen” as someone who is productive and
actively involved towards helping their country succeed.
Therefore, it is to my perception that the characteristics of a
good citizen includes voting, serving in the military, being
highly educated, and positively working in society. In addition,
the good citizen does not harm others or violates the law. It is
to my assertion that I strongly consider myself to be a good
Saudi citizen because I have served in the military and I am
dedicated to helping improve my country. In addition, I abide
by the laws and have a plan to work with the federal
government as a successful employee. I can improve myself as a
citizen by writing about my country and informing people in the
U.S about the rule of law governing my home country.
Works Cited
Dalton, Russell J and Christopher Anderson. Citizens, Context,
And Choice. 1st ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011.
Print.