Institute of Citizenship: Issues of Theory and Law Enforcement Practice

Introduction. Under study are theoretical aspects of citizenship including terminology, character of interrelation of an individual and the state, as well as the problems related to implementation of legislation concerning citizenship with regard to legal clarification of grounds for acquiring it. The purpose is to analyze and synthesize the main theoretical aspects and problems of citizenship and formulate proposals to improve Russian legislation referring citizenship. Materials, Results and Discussion. The paper comprises peculiarities, main characteristics and multi-faceted nature of citizenship as a political legal category, distinguishing features of Law on Citizenship of the Russian Federation. The authors underline the interrelation between the state policy aimed at preservation and forging of traditional Russian moral spiritual values, migration processes and institute of citizenship, which requires certain correlation of norms of Russian legislation in this sphere. Conclusions. The analysis of the problems related to citizenship, migration and demographic processes enabled the authors to conclude that it is necessary to enhance legislation concerning citizenship and correlate it with migration processes in regard to toughening the requirements for acquiring it by foreign citizens and stateless persons.