This article makes the case for an interdisciplinary and global perspective on naturalization before highlighting the key contributions of this special issue to the field of citizenship studies, relating to three research themes: the history, regulation and the lived experiences of naturalization. It then prepares the analytical ground for the following studies by discussing the most relevant conceptualizations of naturalization in the field: naturalization as social closure, as gentle violence, and as subject-formation. The article concludes by outlining the individual contributions to this special issue.

Elisabeth Badenhoop, Citizenship Matters: Towards an Interdisciplinary and Global Perspective on Naturalization, Citizenship Studies, 2021.

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This article forms part of the special issue Citizenship Matters: Assessing the History, Regulation and Lived Experiences of Naturalization from the Global Perspective edited by Elisabeth Badenhoop.