INTRODUCTION

The author has written a significant book. "The
Italian Contribution to American Democracy" is not a
study in Immigration as one might suppose. On the
contrary, it is a study in Americanization. Dr. Mariano
seeks to measure the rate of synthetization going on
today between the native stock of older generations and '
the American of Italian extraction.

In order to do this the author has made a survey of
the sociological and economic conditions that exist today
in the largest center of Italian blood in the Western
hemisphere and perhaps the world. Dr. Mariano limits
his interpretations to Americans of Italian extraction.
The author suggests a complete new and American type
with the second and subsequent generations.

The author wisely points out the need of better hous¬
ing conditions and decides that the assimilation of immi¬
grants depends upon far better sanitary conditions that
exist at present in most of the congested quarters of New
York City.

The symposium in the latter half of the book is a val¬
uable original contribution to the literature available to¬
day of the effect of Italian characteristics on the so-called
"melting pot." As is natural, the points to be noted in
this connection are the industry, skill and thrift of the
Italians. It would not be far wrong to say that these
qualities are what distinguish the first generations of all
immigrant stocks that came to our shores. Next to
these two traits the Latin trait of "buoyancy" is noted.
The Italian's lightheartedness, bright smile and love of
the artistic will be the qualities that the writer ventures
will distinguish the second generation. Here is a real
contribution indeed. It is something that America
greatly lacks and it is the thing which the Italian has
and will continue to contribute.
Ill