Good Citizen and Good Person: Are They always Equal

Abstract

Given the different perceptions of an individual, the standard of a good citizen and that of a good person are not always in congruence and often in contradiction in terms of their respective obligations. This essay will discuss the conflictions and correspondence between being both a citizen and a person through three examples in history. Moreover, the paper argues that the ideal situation of being both a good citizen and a good person is that we are global citizens. The rights and obligations of each person are in harmony, not in contradiction, so there will not be conflicting situations resulting from our status of being citizens of different countries and persons. As global citizens, we have a broader mind that is connected to the world and humanity. We do not only care about our country’s own benefit but the welfare of humankind.