<P> Nevertheless, some prominent scholars, such as Samuel P. Huntington in Who Are We? The Challenges to America's National Identity, have expressed the view that the most accurate explanation for modern - day United States culture and inter-ethnic relations can be found somewhere in a fusion of some of the concepts and ideas contained in the melting pot, assimilation, and Anglo - conformity models . Under this theory, it is asserted that the United States has one of the most homogeneous cultures of any nation in the world . This line of thought holds that this American national culture derived most of its traits and characteristics from early colonial settlers from Britain, Ireland, and Germany . When more recent immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe brought their various cultures to America at the beginning of the 20th century, they changed the American cultural landscape just very slightly, and, for the most part, assimilated into America's pre-existing culture which had its origins in Northwestern Europe . </P> <P> The decision of whether to support a melting - pot or multicultural approach has developed into an issue of much debate within some countries . For example, the French and British governments and populace are currently debating whether Islamic cultural practices and dress conflict with their attempts to form culturally unified countries . </P> <P> Mexico has seen a variety of cultural influences over the years, and in its history has adopted a mixed assimilationist / multiculturalist policy . Mexico, beginning with the conquest of the Aztecs, had entered a new global empire based on trade and immigration . In the 16th and 17th centuries, waves of Spanish, and to a lesser extent, African and Filipino culture became embedded into the fabric of Mexican culture . It is important to note, however, that from a Mexican standpoint, the immigrants and their culture were no longer considered foreign, but Mexican in their entirety . The food, art, and even heritage were assimilated into a Mexican identity . Upon the independence of Mexico, Mexico began receiving immigrants from Central Europe, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, again, bringing many cultural influences but being quickly labeled as Mexican, unlike in the United States, where other culture is considered foreign . This assimilation is very evident, even in Mexican society today: for example, banda, a style of music originating in northern Mexico, is simply a Mexican take on Central European music brought by immigrants in the 18th century . Mexico's thriving beer industry was also the result of German brewers finding refuge in Mexico . Many famous Mexicans are actually of Arab descent; Salma Hayek and Carlos Slim . The coastal states of Guerrero and Veracruz are inhabited by citizens of African descent . Mexico's national policy is based on the concept of mestizaje, a word meaning "to mix". The immigrants are socially under pressure to adopt a Mexican nationality and become part of the broader culture (speaking Spanish, respect the Catholic heritage, help the society), while contributing useful cultural traits foreign to Mexican society . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section needs expansion . You can help by adding to it . (July 2013) </Td> </Tr> </Table>

What process is the central idea behind america's melting pot