The merengue has distinguished itself in every aspect of the public life of Dominicans, and should be viewed as one of the most important aspects of social order within the nation. Merengue touches the political realm, economics, social unity and celebration, and it is important to look into the way the merengue has influenced these realms to understand its importance in the culture of the Dominican Republic .

Merengue has played remarkable roles in the political history of the Dominican Republic . In the 1930's the dictator Rafael Trujillo and his use of the merengue as a campaigning tool facilitated the expansion of the merengue as a national symbol (Behague 1994, Manuel 1995). His campaign integrated merengue primarily as a way to get in touch with the economically disadvantaged Dominicans. The Dominican people under Trujillo were an oppressed people. Despite the lack of freedoms, the country was aided greatly by the economic constancy of his leadership ( http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia 2004). The merengue spread throughout the Dominican Republic during this time through its circulation on radio and television for the purpose of Trujillo 's popularity, and also to aid his campaign against Haitian influences that was threatening the culture. (Cambeira,1997, p253). The familiarity associated post-Trujillo with the merengue in all Dominican social classes, including the previously reluctant elitists, now represented a national unity against foreign cultural influences, as well as a sense of survival from an oppressed nation.

  The merengue, and its close ties to the Dominican culture gained international notice as the world began to view the Dominican Republic as intriguing, both because of the culture and the beautiful landscape of the island. Interest and familiarization with the culture and people grew, causing the spread of the Dominican culture throughout the world (Sagas & Molina 2004). At this particular point in time, due to the monopoly that Trujillo 's dictatorship once held over the economy, the music industry was especially vulnerable. The immediate result of the sudden “open doors” to the world was a great influx of foreign music such as rock, pop, and salsa. The Dominicans reacted as a nation, and an immediate countrywide uprising against the competitors could be seen (Manuel 1995). The music industry fought back, and quickly was able to establish itself as a creative force by the 1980's on the international market (Manuel 1995). This ability by the Dominican Republic to claim their national heritage through their economy even in a time of transition and uncertainty was made possible by a newly found sense of national identity which can be accredited to the popularity and pride the Dominicans associated with the merengue.

  Socially the merengue has united the Dominicans, through trials and celebrations within their diverse ethnicities. To understand how the depth at which it has united the people of the Dominican Republic , one has to understand all of the ethnicities within the country, and the history of social prejudice. The indigenous people of the Dominican Republic , the Tainos Indians (“gentle”) were nearly eradicated by Christopher Columbus and the Spanish (Cripps, 1979). Those who were not killed changed drastically to assimilate to the Spanish culture, leaving little of the Tainoian traditions to influence Dominican society (Fagg 1965 p.3). The Spanish held control of Santo Domingo , as they called it, for more then three centuries. They left lasting impressions, such as Roman Catholicism, the structure and planning of cities, and the impact the Spanish language has had on the Dominican vernacular (Fagg, 1965, p3). The Dominican Republic today takes great pride in their Spanish heritage, and is still influenced by the choices their Spanish ancestors made. One of these decisions, the decision to import African slaves to the Caribbean , has helped mold the Dominican Republic in the nation it has become today.

Dominican Republic , until recent times, avoided classifying themselves as of African decent. Instead those who were mixed preferred to identify their heritage as Spanish, white, or even as Indians, an option on all the official documentation of the country (Manuel 1995 page 98). The reason for this aversion was due to the association of the African culture with Haiti , their neighbors on the island (Fagg, 1965). The relationship between the Dominican Republic and Haiti is one of distrust and resentment, Haiti maintained political control over the Dominican Republic from 1822 until 1844 (West-Duran 2003 p79). Race and class are closely correlated in the Dominican Republic , and it seems that the lighter ones skins color the higher status on can achieve. The wealthiest and most elite class is made predominantly of whites, the middle classes of mulattos, and the lowest class of dark skinned mulattos and blacks. (Wiarda & Kryzanek, 1982) Racial formation currently in the Dominican Republic is less racist as larger numbers of Dominicans are willing to embrace their Afro Caribbean heritage (Weil, 1999).

Merengue is an essential part of Dominican celebrations. Because it is the most popular form of song and dance in the Dominican Republic , there is a high demand in times of merriment for it (Weil 1973, p97). Weddings, births, name-days, baptisms, construction of homes, and even funerals can be reasons for a festival. A festival usually involves much drinking, eating, dancing and music. These festivals of the Dominican Republic closely correlate with the merengue in history (Behague, 1994, p73). Two particular reasons for celebration, independence from Haiti in 1844, and then from Spain in 1865, are dates in history historians find relevant to the emergence of merengue. Both the carnivals and the merengue had similar problems with their acceptance into elite social scenes; they both were associated with the poor classes, until the time of Trujillo and his integration of them into society (Behague 1994). Today the festivals and the merengue are symbols of the nation because of the social stability and amalgamation they offered to the country.

The merengue, as shown above, is essential to the culture of the Dominican Republic . The genre has influenced the culture in every way it could have, from the time at which and way at which it emerged, to its use under Trujillo as a unifying energy, to the aspects of all the ethnicities of the Dominican Republic it embodies.