The Dying Citizen: How Progressive Elites, Tribalism, and Globalization Are Destroying the Idea of America

Citizenship, in its truest form, has always been about more than just residing within a nation's borders; it is deeply rooted in the ability of individuals to sustain themselves economically and to participate actively in the life of their polity. From the ancient city-states of Greece to the Roman Republic, the right to vote, to hold office, and to bear arms was reserved for those who owned property and could defend their community. This economic independence was not a mere privilege but a prerequisite for responsible citizenship. The middle class, or the 'mesoi' as the Greeks called them, were the backbone of their republics, embodying the virtues of hard work, moderation, and civic duty.

Fast forward to modern America, and the picture is more complex yet strikingly familiar. The ideal of the self-sufficient yeoman farmer evolved into the suburban middle class, symbolized by home ownership, steady employment, and family stability. Yet, over recent decades, this foundation has weakened. Nearly half of Americans now have a net worth below $10,000, with many burdened by mortgage debt, student loans, and credit card obligations. This economic precarity undermines the autonomy necessary for active citizenship. It is not just about numbers but the lived experience of millions who feel less control over their destinies, less ability to invest in their communities, and less trust in the institutions meant to serve them.

Consider the dramatic rise in housing costs in places like California, where the price per square foot of a starter home has soared from an inflation-adjusted $143 to over $900 in a single lifetime. For many young families, home ownership is no longer a realistic aspiration but a distant dream. This economic squeeze correlates with social changes such as delayed marriages and declining birth rates, further eroding the traditional fabric of citizenship.

These trends echo the conditions of medieval peasants, who were tied to land they did not own, burdened by rents and obligations, and politically powerless. Today’s urban and suburban populations, despite living in a vastly more advanced society, face similar challenges of dependency and limited upward mobility. The government often steps in with subsidies and social programs, which while providing relief, can inadvertently foster dependency and diminish the incentive for self-reliance.

Yet, this is not a story of despair but a call to recognize the vital connection between economic independence and a thriving republic. Without a robust middle class capable of sustaining itself, the pillars of democracy weaken, and the risk of societal bifurcation into elites and dependents rises. The next section will explore how this economic reality intersects with the evolving definitions of residency and citizenship, and how their conflation further complicates the American experiment.