Allegiance
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An allegiance is a duty of fidelity said to be owed, or freely committed, by the people, subjects or citizens to their state or sovereign.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name = "OED1">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name = "OED2">Template:Cite book</ref>
Etymology
The word allegiance comes from Middle English {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} (see Medieval Latin {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, "a liegance"). The al- prefix was probably added through confusion with another legal term, allegation. The connection with Latin {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, "to bind," is erroneous.<ref name="Chisholm1911">{{#if: |
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Usage
Traditionally, English legal commentators used the term allegiance in two ways. One referred to "local allegiance"—the deference expected even from foreigners within a country.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Another sense was "natural allegiance," owed by native-born citizens.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
United Kingdom
The English doctrine once held that allegiance was indelible: Nemo potest exuere patriam. Before 1870, anyone born or naturalized in Britain owed lifelong allegiance unless parliament permitted otherwise.<ref name="Chisholm1911"/> This doctrine was a factor in the War of 1812.
Allegiance bound subject to monarch, and monarch to subject: duplex et reciprocum ligamen ("double and reciprocal bond").<ref>Calvin's Case (1608) 7 Co Rep 1a; 77 ER 377</ref>
Four types of allegiance were recognized:
- Natural allegiance: by birth within the sovereign's dominions.
- Acquired allegiance: by naturalization or denization.
- Local allegiance: owed by aliens while in the country's protection.
- Legal allegiance: due when an alien takes an oath required for an office.
The Naturalization Act 1870 allowed British subjects to renounce nationality under specified conditions.<ref name="Chisholm1911"/>
United States
The U.S. rejected indelible allegiance early. John Rutledge declared in Talbot v. Janson that dual citizenship was possible.<ref>3 U.S. 133, [1]</ref> The Expatriation Act of 1868 declared expatriation a natural right. Dual allegiance can lead to conflicting duties, possibly treason, so renunciation may be necessary.<ref name="Chisholm1911"/>
In Islam
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} In Arabic, allegiance is bay'ah (بيعة), meaning "taking hand." The Quran references it in Surah 48:10.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Oath of allegiance
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} An oath of allegiance pledges fidelity to the sovereign (or nation in republics). In the U.S., this is embodied in the Pledge of Allegiance, which is voluntary due to the First Amendment.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>