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I. LATIN AMERICA
MODERNIZATION, MIGRATION AND NATIONAL
IDENTITY IN THE ARGENTINE CASE, 1870-1945
—o
HERNAN OTERO
ABSTRACT
Nation building in Argentina is intimately related with European mass
migration. Following this premise, this paper presents the most important
characteristics of the social and economic modernization of the country with
an emphasis on the contribution of mass migration. This general context allows
a discussion of the theories that have tried to understand the integration
process (Cultural Pluralism and the Melting Pot), founded in three classical
indicators: endogamy, residence patterns and immigrant associations.
Finally, it analyzes the main factors of the emergence of new identities: State
policies, especially in education, social mobility and political participation.
Keywords: immigration, integration, identity, nation building, Argentina
INTRODUCTION
We will present an overview of the integration of European immigrants into
the Argentine society between 1870 and 1945, that is, since the beginning of
the mass migration process until the mid-20" century. Such a wide subject
demands a previous explanation. We will use a social history approach, in the
classical sense; consequently, we will stress more the groups, behaviors and
actors than the cultural aspects. This decision does not imply any a priori
assumptions about the superiority of one approach over the other. Then, we
will prioritize a structural and statistical point of view in order to measure, in
a better way, the totality of the involved phenomena.
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