> In secular countries, citizenship often is considered to be something of almost sacred value. Citizenship also comes with very tangible benefits such as the

> In secular countries, citizenship often is considered to be something of almost sacred value. Citizenship also comes with very tangible benefits such as the right to vote or - in many cases - entitlement to social security benefits. Having the right citizenship also means you can command higher salaries for the exact same job. Some authors have called this citizenship premium or citizenship rent. To me all these seem like valid arguments against gatekeeping rather than for. In a way passports serve a similar role to what hereditary titles were until the 18th-19th century in much of the Western world, and what you're saying sounds a lot like the debates people had on newly minted barons not deserving the privileges of old blood...