Discourses of Minimalist and Maximalist Citizenship in the Lives of Kuwaiti Youth

• In Event: Philosophical, Historical, and Global Understandings of Citizenship Education

Abstract

In Kuwait, citizenship education mainly promotes religious nationalism, eschewing maximalist forms that encourage cosmopolitan, transformative citizenship. This paper explores the tensions of citizenship education and practice in Kuwait, the first Middle Eastern country to implement a dedicated citizenship education module based on human rights. Through analysis of textbooks, attendance and participation at civic events and analysis of social media platforms, as well as interviews with activists, we highlight discourses in Kuwaiti society shaping young people’s understandings of human rights and citizenship. We find that public institutions such as schools promote minimalist conceptions of citizenship tethered to national allegiance and religious obedience, and discuss the potential of youth-created discussion platforms to provide counter-spaces for developing maximalist perspectives on democratic citizenship.

Authors

• Rania Al-Nakib, Gulf University for Science and Technology

• Sam Mejias, London School of Economics