近代憲政民主國家，其「公民」與國家、社會與互爲表裡，已經內化成爲整個國家社會體制中的重要部分；所以，假如我們要成功地轉化成爲現代國家，就必須培養相對應的「公民」。 由於「公民」源於西方，連結到古代的希臘、羅馬以及近代的自由城市；而相對的「公民質性」也幾經演變。假如我們要建立新的傳統，除了尋求傳統資源以爲創造性轉化之基礎外，必須對西方的概念、理論與實踐，有基礎的了解，「知而後行」。 因此，本文首先回到西方歷史傳統去釐清polites、civis、bourgeoisie、citizen等概念及涵義，並探索西方「公民質性」兩大類型的發展及當代的相關論述，以理解西方之相關概念及其發展與實踐，以作爲日後進一步尋找相應於我們社會理想的「公民」與「公民質性」概念，以及建立本土公民學之基礎。

In a modern democratic country with a constitutional government, the concepts of "citizen," country and society both integrate a very important aspect in the country's institution framework and complement each other; therefore, if we want to transform ourselves into a modern country successfully, we must strive to nurture our own "citizens" that are apt to such kind of society. The concept of "citizen" comes from the western society. It is linked to ancient Greek, Roman, and medieval bourgeoisie of liberal city. Consequently, the concept of "citizenship" also developed complexity. If we would like to establish our own new civil tradition, we must be aware of western concepts and theories as well as our own tradition. In order to inheritance also contains a "creative transformation", and then put into practice. Therefore, this study first distinguishes the concepts of "polites," "civis," "bourgeoisie," and "citizen" from western history, and also discusses the two different kinds of "citizenship" and contemporary meaning. This study intends to understand western concepts and their development, as well as their practice, in order to seek for the concept that matches our society's ideal "citizen" and "citizenship," thus establish the basis of local civis.