Which pattern of interaction is also called the salad bowl theory?

Answer 1

As the development of the New World progressed, we saw in emerging countries like Australia, the US, etc. inclusion of various ethic/nationalistic group, often en masse. In the US in particular, the phrase, "The Melting Pot" became popular. It referred to the idea that inclusion of these varied groups would have an effect metaphorically similar to what occurs when alloying a metal. E.g., the resultant alloy has strengths and properties that the mother elemental metals alone do not have. The inclusion and assimilation of the incoming immigrations into a cohesive whole was considered a good thing.

However, during the 20th century and later, many of the arriviste's felt they were losing their national/ethnic identity, and steps have been taken in many cases to preserve that uniqueness. This approach was not well described by terms like Melting Pot. As such, another metaphor was sought.

The result was the Salad Bowl concept, in which we have a resultant combination that is, as a whole, an improvement over its various components alone, but also maintains the concept of: Separate yet equal. The components of a salad are combined, yet remain discrete.

This metaphor encompasses some aspects from Melting Pot, but not the level of assimilation we saw as a positive in Melting Pot.

In American early-grade education, this term is the replacement for Melting Pot (which is no longer considered to be politically sensitive enough).