Hispanic Influence in American Politics

Hispanic Influence in American Politics

Introduction

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Literature Review

Many scholars have analyzed the impact the Hispanic community has had in United States politics. However, the theories used to explain the involvement of the Hispanic immigrant population in politics are limited. The two predominant theories are assimilation and acculturation, which give possible explanations to how immigrants have adapted to American society. These theories can also be used to analyze the behavior of the Hispanic immigrant community toward American culture as well as the Hispanic involvement in politics. The assimilation theory argues that Hispanic immigrants will eventually understand and adopt American culture over time. This theory also presupposes a complete acceptance and adoption of a new culture. On the other hand, acculturation presents a different view of how the Hispanic community has adapted to this society. The scholars who propose this theory argue that Hispanics tend to adapt more easilyto the culture around them by conserving their own cultural background. This means that instead of replacing their culture with a new one, they take the best out of both. These theories can also be used to explain how the adaptation process of Hispanics to this new society affects their views and involvement in politics[b1].

Assimilation

The United States is incredibly diverse due to the migration of people from various countries. In fact, one of the biggest minority immigrant groups in the United States is the Hispanic community. This community is recognized for the exponential growth it has gone through in the last four decades. Compared to other ethnic groups in the United States, Hispanics have become very active in American society. However, how has this community struggled to adapt to American culture and how has this affected their participation in politics? Some scholars explain that Hispanic immigrants go through a process called assimilation. According to this theory, immigrant communities have to go through a process of adaptation in order to fully understand and accept the new society they are living in. However, it is explained that before getting to this point, immigrants have to face many obstacles due to the absence of experience “Following this logic, lack of assimilation can be regarded as a consequence of initial mutual ignorance and the lack of preparedness of immigrants to deal with the cultural requirements of the host society” (Rogg2011, 7).

For instance, when immigrants acquire a good education as well as a good socio economic status, it is easier for the assimilation process to happen. Scholars argue that once immigrants understand and adapt to the society in which they live, involvement is more likely to happen. It is inferred that after assimilation, Hispanic immigrants feel more confident to participate because they feel part of American society. Nevertheless, since they are adopting a whole new culture, the political ideology the American society identifies with is the one adopted by the Hispanic community, “Hispanics subscribe to fundamental American values, and positive orientations towards government, that these are sufficient to compel Hispanic immigrants to [political] participation” (Newton and Salvaton2010, 5).

This theory also exposes the difficulties immigrants have to face when adapting to a new country. Some people may argue it is easy for Hispanics to understand American culture, because they want to achieve the American dream. However, it can be very difficult for Hispanic immigrants to completely assimilate such a different and new culture. Factors such as not being able to master the language or understand the way politics work hinders the Hispanic community’s ability to get involved,

For example, it is commonly assumed that as immigrants become more educated, more familiar with the culture and the language, and more successful in the occupational marketplace, their probability of assimilation will increase by the operation of two simultaneous processes: first, they will become more acceptable to the native majority and, hence, less discriminated against; second, their own understanding of the host culture will increase, leading to a more positive attitude toward it (Portes, Parker and Cobas2010, 202[b2]).

However, scholars also argue that once Hispanics achieve assimilation their position in the American society changes as well as their involvement. It is important to point out that even though this theory may have evidence to support it, it is not something proven. There are scholars who think it is a “straight line-model insufficient to describe the Hispanic experience for either immigrants or their U.S. born counterparts” (Newton and Salvanton5[b3]).

Even though assimilation may be applied to other ethnic communities, there is not enough evidence that proves it can be applied to the Hispanic community. The reason is that at least first generation Hispanic immigrants cannot easily detach from their cultural roots. If the theory of assimilation worked, the growing Hispanic media as well as organizations would not be having the success they have today. Also, the technology in the 21st century has made it easier for Hispanics to keep in touch with their countries of origin as well as their families. This should be taken into consideration because due to the accessibility of these resources, it is easier for the Hispanic population to keep their culture alive in the United States. It is difficult for a community that takes so much pride in their origins to put them aside and replace them with a completely new way of thinking[b4].

Acculturation

On the other hand, acculturation theory tries to explain the same issue but with a different approach. It explains how Hispanic immigrants have adapted to the American society without putting their idiosyncrasies aside. This theory argues that Hispanics make use of their own cultural background as well as the American culture to have a broader view about different issues. However, acculturation can have a positive or negative impact on Hispanic political involvement. If Hispanic immigrants have any form of basic education, it is more likely that they will become involved in politics. By having a broader view of different cultural backgrounds, Hispanics are more confident in participating in politics. Nevertheless, when Hispanics are not educated, acculturation can be a disincentive; they are less likely to feel confident and less likely to participate in American politics. “Only for Mexicans, as well as other Hispanic groups, does attachment to ethnic culture discourage participation in activities other than voting” (Lien 2009, 252).

Another important aspect that is also argued in the acculturation theory is that due to ethnic attachment, “whenever Hispanics feel alienated and systematically deprived they will generally mobilize ethnic group members to participate in sociopolitical activities” (Lien 244). These sentiments have a direct impact on the way Hispanics involve themselves in politics; they will advocate for the best interests of their communities, failing to recognize the non-Hispanic opinions. In comparison to the assimilation theory, acculturationists explain that since Hispanics preserve their ideologies, they will become involved in politics to defend these values. It is also due to acculturation that topics such as undocumented immigration and immigrant’s rightshave become important topics of discussion in politics. If it were not for the incorporation of both cultures, these issues would not have been brought into the American politics frame. “The sense of alienation the sense of being discriminated and prejudiced against because of one’s Mexican origin significantly increases the chance of Mexican American voting participation” (Lien 252[b5]).

The acculturation theory can be easily applied to the Hispanic community, especially due to the fact that it is proved to be difficult for them to put their culture aside. The Hispanic influence can be seen in big cities all over the United States. Hispanic food, traditions, and language have become a very big part of the American melting pot. Acculturation has actually been happening all over the United States, the surge of television companies such as Univision is a clear example of how Hispanics have transformed the American culture. It is also crucial to mention that acculturation has led Hispanics to become educated about the American politics, something that leads them to be more active and involved in activities that will benefit their community[b6].

Argument Analysis

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References[b7]

Hans, Herbert J. 1997. “Toward a Reconciliation of “Assimilation” and “Pluralism”: The Interplay of Acculturation and Ethnic Retention.” International Migration Review.31, 4 (Winter): 875-892. (November 9, 2011).

Lien, Pei-te. 1994. “Ethnicity and Political Participation: A Comparison between Asian and Mexican Americans.” Political Behavior. 16, 16 (June): 237-264. (October 26, 2011).

Portes, Alejandro, Robert Nash Parker and José A. Cobas. 1980. “Assimilation or Consciousness: Perceptions of U.S. Society Among Recent Latin American Immigrants to the United States.” Social Forces. 59, 1 (September): 200-224. 9, 2011).

Suro, Roberto, Jeffrey S. Passel 2003. “The Rise of the Second Generation: Changing Patterns in Hispanic Population Growth” Pew Hispanic Center (November 9, 2011).

Salvanto, Antony, Lina Newton 2005. “ Hispanics and The American Dream.” Southern Political Science Association New York, NY Department of Political Science Hunter College, CUNY.

Suro, Roberto, Jeffrey S. Passel 2003. “The Rise of the Second Generation: Changing Patterns in Hispanic Population Growth” Washington, DC Pew Hispanic Center (December, 8 2011)

Taylor, Paul, Richard Fry 2007. “Hispanics and the 2008 Election: A Swing Vote?” Washington, DC Pew Hispanic Center (December, 8 2011)

Schulman, Kori 2010, “President Obama on the DREAM Act: "My Administration Will Not Give Up" Washington DC, The White House Blog. (December, 8 2011)

Sanders, Tony 2006, “Univision Communication Inc.” Washington DC, The Center of Public Integrity (December 8, 2011)

[b1]Introduction to the LR.

[b2]Use of a block quote.

[b3]School of Thought (SOT) 1.

[b4]Critique of School of Thought (SOT) 1.

[b5]School of Thought (SOT) 2.

[b6]Transitional paragraph.

[b7]References are not required for Literature Review assignment.