‘This book offers a profound deconstruction of how coloniality remains constitutive of citizenship even after empire has formally ended. Tracing histories of indigeneity, segregation, assimilation, and exclusion, it makes a major contribution to critical citizenship studies.’ — Maarten Vink, Chair in Citizenship Studies, European University Institute

‘Loureiro’s Colonial Citizenship is an impressive exegesis on citizenship in the Portuguese empire, exposing the throughline from the laws of slavery and empire to those governing citizenship today. The book is grounded in his careful analysis of centuries of law, informed by his deep dive into the archives to uncover these laws’ origins. Loureiro does not merely recount this fascinating history, he interrogates it in order to deconstruct contemporary laws and policies. Colonial Citizenship is an invaluable work of legal history that is sure to be cited by citizenship scholars from around the world for decades to come.’ — Amanda Frost, David Lurton Massee, Jr., Professor of Law, University of Virginia

‘This book makes a compelling contribution to decolonial and postcolonial citizenship studies. It offers a much-needed critical account of the Portuguese imperial experience. Insightful and competently researched.’ — Patrícia Jerónimo, Associate Professor of Law, University of Minho

‘An original contribution, owing to the author’s distinctive focus on the legal construction of nationality in the context of the Portuguese colonies.’ — Carmen Tibúrcio, Professor of Private International Law, State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)

‘Loureiro’s book is fundamental in deconstructing citizenship as a colonial device of exclusion. With a critical analysis focused on the subaltern, it proposes the tactical use of law to guarantee immediate protections, aiming for an emancipatory citizenship that overcomes racial hierarchies and promotes justice for all!’ — José Ricardo Cunha, Professor of Philosophy of Law, State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)

M. C. Loureiro is a Lecturer at Leicester Law School.

0. Introduction: Critical Citizenship Theory: Coloniality, Race and Empire

Part I: Colonial Contexts

1. Pre-Constitutional Subalternity: Building the Self through Negatory Nationality

2. Constitutionalising Subalternity: Legal Ccategories, Global Empires and the Transitions of Slavery

Part II: Colonial Developments

3. Creating the Indigene: Race and Formal Belonging

4. Living in Indigeneity: Surviving Constitutional Segregation and Material Restrictions

5. Leaving Indigeneity Behind: The Reality of Total Subalternity and the Lisbon Applications

Part III: Colonial Ends

6. Becoming Foreigner: Postcolonial Nationality Law and Racial Summoning

7. 7. Between Nostalgia and Utopia: Citizenship as Correctness and Finitude