Path Dependency Theory – U.S. / Argentina - Group Blog 2

John Ceisel, JB Boonstra, Brent Brannen

      Path-dependence asserts that the outcome of a process depends on its past history (Wikipedia).  When examining a country’s colonization pattern one can see the chain that forks and lineates a path.  American colonization is generally considered to have occurred between 1492 and 1764 (Ignoring Leif Ericson’s year 1000 discovery of Vinland).  Colombus discovered North America on October 12^th 1492.  It wasn’t until 7 years later that he’d discover South America on his 3^rd voyage.  As time passed each region’s colonization was greatly facilitated or hindered by choices that still effect them today.

     When comparing and contrasting the U.S and Argentina, an issue that demands attention is the differing manners and levels of immigrant assimilation.  Why is it the United States achieved the “melting pot” and Argentina didn’t?  Why do many U.S. citizens continue to identify with their country of origin while Argentines of different walks consider themselves simply Argentine?  Last night Ceisel was at a birthday party downtown where he met a 1^st generation Korean immigrant.  "I asked her whether she felt she was a Korean or an Argentine and she replied, “Although my body is that of a Korean [pointing to her eyes], inside I’m 100% Argentine.” This surprised me because she spoke fluent Korean and seemed very in touch with her cultural heritage." Ceisel's encounter with Myung-hi is indicitive of many Argentine immigrants' sentiment.  Fleeing turmoil or poverty and searching for a better life many foreigners came to Argentina stepping off the boat with BOTH feet.  Given Argentina's rough and turbulent history of government there has been little time for nostalgia.

     We assert that foreign nationalism is a luxury of a well established and prosperous state.  Looking at the U.S., the many "China Towns, K-Towns, and Mexican Communities" are planted upon the foundation of immigrants who've already established themselves.  This allows the "foundation" to help more immigrants from the same and other countries retain their culture and way of life while prospering economically within the United States.  The ingredients inside the U.S.'s melting pot aren't completely dissolved.  The soup has a strong base with carrots, spices, and chicken floating and intermingling.  Perhaps with time Argentina will develop the same blend of ingredients.  As for now, an Argentine is an Argentine whether mestizo, Korean, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, or French blooded.

End note*  It did occur that the historical elitist sentiment and the dirty war (which was for the most part political) discredit the assertion that "an Argentine is an Argentine."  However, this blog is based on contemporary attitudes and derived from actual conversations with numerous and diverse Argentines.