Transformation course of hispanicization as a socio-political phenomenon of the united states of America

КУРС ТРАНСФОРМАЦИИ ИСПАНИЗАЦИИ КАК ОБЩЕСТВЕННО-ПОЛИТИЧЕСКОГО ЯВЛЕНИЯ США

Д. А. Барсукова*

Санкт-Петербургский государственный университет

Россия, 199034, г. Санкт-Петербург, Университетская наб., 7-9

• ^*    email: wowwwhale@gmail.com

В статье исследуется проблема влияния испаноязычного меньшинства Соединенных Штатов Америки на процесс модификации внутригосударственной социополитической и культурной ситуации. Автором проводится анализ специфики этнокультурной и миграционной составляющих, формирующих облик современного общества США. Несмотря на разнообразие испаноязычной диаспоры, она образует мощную силу, которая при движении в едином направлении способна на коренные изменения в любом аспекте общественных отношений, имея собственные инструменты влияния в принимающем обществе. Дана оценка перспектив развития явления в качестве социально преобразующего фактора, учитывая возрастающий политический и электоральный потенциал этногруппы. Анализ положения и динамики хис-пэникс в США приводит к выводу, что вместе со всей спецификой своего развития и потенциала, их основными целями становятся сохранение своей идентичности в условиях оживленной диверсификации культурной среды социума и создание собственной социально-политической повестки дня. Практика изучения латиноамериканской диаспоры в США представляет важность как для осмысления перспектив развития самого государства, так и для осознания ключевых направлений развития международной миграции.

The twentieth century appeared to become crucial for the sphere of world politics, as subjected to drastic changes in its constants, in particular, in a composition of actors in international relations. Diasporas have become one of them, along with other equivalent forms of international reality. The role of diasporas as the creators and guardians of its unique identity in a completely different, often hostile ethnic and cultural environment, becomes significant in the context of globalization.

In the case of mass migration revitalization, the problem of studying the practice of socio-political changes associated with the quality of the demographic composition in the boundaries of a single state is characterized by an increasing relevance. Research in this area allows predicting the development of similar processes in other countries. The importance of these issues, including the future of recipient countries, as well as for the architecture of entire world political order, has become particularly apparent in 2015, when Europe faced millions of migrants who can both contribute to positive change in many areas for the host country, and integrate their values into a new, alien society.

In the past decades the traditionally multinational United States has collided with yet another centrifugal challenge from the Latin American migrants, whose number is increasing, both in absolute numbers and in percentage of the population, amounting to 55 million [1]. The relatively recent emergence of Latinos as the largest US minority is one of the most important demographic developments of the XX century in the entire Western Hemisphere.

For a more clear understanding of the problem, it is necessary to distinguish between the concept of "Hispanicization" and "Latin Americanization". Not only to differentiate, but also to update the terms themselves, because their outdated values do not fit the topical world political order. According to the author, in the current circumstances, both concepts are appropriate to be used as complementary. Hispanicization should be called the process of settling of the Spanish language, Latin American traditions, way of life and socio-political pattern in increasing space within the particular geopolitical boundaries, transforming or venting authigenic culture. Latin Americanization also carries a geographical connotation, pointing to the origin of the phenomenon and its demographic component.

In the US political sphere Latinos express themselves with the help of ethnic interest groups or ethnic lobby, as well as by participation in political management at municipal, state and federal levels, through state structures and elections. Today victory in the US federal election without the support of Latinos is virtually impossible.

The degree of involvement in the political process within the entire state can be analyzed through a number of representatives of an ethnic group in the highest state authorities, where the formation of the political elite representing the interests of Latinos becomes essential. The Supreme Court's judge Sonia Sotomayor appeared to be first ever and the only current of Hispanic (Puerto Rican) origin. Today it is quite easy to find Hispanic person in the US Senate or the House of Representatives. Such politicians have also received enough political weight to get seats in the 11 committees and 16 subcommittees; their experience and greater influence on the many levels of American politics makes Hispanics attractive candidates for the posts of the Cabinet and heads in federal agencies [2]. In the conditions of such a wide representation in the House of Representatives and the need to unite around the agenda, the Hispanic Caucus of Congress was created in 1976, which puts as its main goal the expression of the US Hispanic population interest through the legislative process [3]. In fact, ubiquity (both geographical and in different spheres and structures) of Latin American politicians in the United States is reflected in the article "42 most influential Hispanic politicians - Hispanic power" [4].

Despite differences in political preferences, in 2007 the majority of Hispanics identified themselves as Democrats (57%) and only 23% as Republicans [5]. The situation at the elections in 2012 has become particularly demonstrative when their votes were decisive in many "swing states" [6]. Percentage of the Hispanic participation in the upcoming 2016elections is projected to increase by 19.3% in only one state of California [7]. The US Supreme Court has already considered the possibility of changing the electoral districts in 2015, taking into account the Latino representation [8].

Based on the US Census Bureau data, there is an evidence that since 2010 the number of Hispanic voters increased by 3.9 million, making a record number of 25.2 million in 2014 (or 11% of the country's electorate ), reflecting the fastest growth compared to other social and ethnic groups [9].

The examples of the most influential and oldest lobbyist organizations, representing the interests of the Hispanic community, are the National Council of La Raza and The League of the United Latin American Citizens. The number of Hispanic organizations and clubs, as well as the areas of their concern, is constantly growing.

Ongoing replenishment of diaspora leads to its sustainability and preservation of identity, in contrast to assimilation; to activity in the pursuit of their interests and defending rights; to creation of multigenerational and complex state relations, which would not allow losing the unique cultural and social characteristics inherent in this ethnic group. Moreover, mass immigration leads to a strengthening of the diaspora model of existence in a society. Thus, assimilation is inhibited not only by cultural barriers, but also due to the deliberate revision of views on adaptation.

Future of a state in almost all spheres depends on a demographic composition of its population. Factors such as Hispanics’ youth and wide dissemination allow us to say that Latinos may have a fairly large role in shaping the overall face of the nation.

Today it is evident that more than 50 million people are enough for a sharp change in a political course of a state in any sphere, if the diaspora is united enough to reach political self-organization and identification. Demographers predict an increase in the Hispanic electorate in half by 2030, even if immigration level significantly reduces [10]. In 2016, this figure will be around 27.3 million people (40% growth compared to 2008) or 11.9% of the American electorate [11].

The increase in the percentage of Hispanic voters among the total population; the improvement of the social status and standard of living; increasing experience of participation in the socio-political process may lead to the particular struggle for this part of the voters during elections at all levels and posts; modification, above all, of the immigration legislature, as well as other legislation in the interests of the powerful ethnic group; the design of social and economic policy of the state towards improving the social protection system.

Historical-Essays/Strength-Numbers/Introduction/ (date of access: 12 February2016).

URL:        http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/101/video/stats-on-the- latino-electorate-heading-into-2016-604444739741 (date of access: 15 February 2016).