Since you don't specify either a particular part of the world or a period, I take it this is a question about current politics. That being the case, it's not suitable to this sub and I've removed the thread: I'd suggest posting to a sub devoted to your own country, or to /r/politics, instead.

If this was a question about historical developments in a particular place and/or time, then feel free to re-post, but please make it a lot clearer what you're actually asking.

It never was about democracy. The concept of citizenship has applied in numerous different political systems. Citizenship was very important to Rome and Sparta, while the former was an aristocratic republic and the latter an oligarchy. Neither had a democratic past and the very concept of democracy was still pretty new and controversial at the time.