The impact of naturalization on civic integration: an empirical study on TCNs in Italy

The main objective of this dissertation is that of exploring the relationship between naturalization and civic integration from an empirical standpoint. Most existing studies have focused on the impact of naturalization on the specifically economic dimension of integration, whereas the non-economic aspects have been much more neglected. Here the question of the impact of naturalization is developed with regards to first-generation, third-country nationals (TCNs) residing in Italy, and focusing the attention on civic integration. The latter is provided a working definition characterized by three dimensions (“vertical”, “horizontal” and “subjective”). The research is based on interviews with fifty individuals carried out between 2012 and 2014. Interviews featured both a structured questionnaire and an open-ended talk. The methodology of analysis of the data was both quantitative and qualitative. The objective of mixing the two methods was to enable me, on the one hand, to define the relationship between the “citizenship variable” and the other main ones, and on the other, to gather a deeper understanding the mechanisms at work behind the process of integration in relation to citizenship acquisition. Overall, this research finds that notwithstanding the pervasive effects on the economic, social and political life that globalization, deterritorialization and increased cross-country mobility have had on nation-states and on individuals living within their borders, national citizenship is still a powerful drive in shaping first-generation immigrants’ chances for civic integration into the host country.