People:
* Broadest definition: Refers to all human beings, regardless of their legal status or location.
* Includes everyone: This encompasses residents, visitors, immigrants, refugees, and those with no official citizenship.
* Universal: The term "people" is a universal concept applicable across all cultures and societies.
Citizens:
* Legal status: Refers to individuals who are legally recognized as members of a particular state or nation.
* Specific rights and obligations: Citizenship comes with rights (e.g., voting, freedom of speech) and obligations (e.g., paying taxes, obeying laws).
* Defined by law: Citizenship is determined by the laws and regulations of the state or nation.
Key Differences:
* Scope: "People" is a broader term, while "citizens" is more specific and legally defined.
* Legal status: "Citizens" have a specific legal status within a state or nation, while "people" do not.
* Rights and obligations: "Citizens" typically have specific rights and obligations associated with their citizenship.
When they overlap:
* In many cases, the majority of people residing within a country are also its citizens.
* The terms "people" and "citizens" can be used interchangeably when referring to the general population of a country.
In summary:
While "citizens" are a subset of "people," the terms are not entirely synonymous. "People" encompasses all human beings, while "citizens" refers to individuals with specific legal status and rights within a state or nation.