Peter Block's notion of a citizen is someone accountable and committed to the well-being of the wholeBlock, P. Community: The Structure of Belonging. 2008, p. 63 and a participant in a democracy, regardless of their legal status. Peter stated that a citizen is "one who chooses to create the life, the neighborhood, the world from their own gifts and the gifts of others".McKnight, J & Block, P. The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods. 2010, p. 7 Block's points to a paradox: in the realization of citizenship today, many who have full citizenship rights wait for others to contribute to their life and yet themselves contribute little to democracy or the well-being of their community. Others without citizenship rights are major contributors to community and democracy. Nevertheless, Peter generally attributes citizenship to those functioning as full participants in a democracy.McKnight, J & Block, P. The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighborhoods. 2010, p. 7
