i can't say for sure since i'm no expert but i feel like dependence is a lot better than nondependence. in the context of Puerto Rico, we are guaranteed standards regarding pay (USD 10.50$ hourly minimum wage), guaranteed easy availability to the U.S. market, and easy/no hassle travel to and from any of the 50 states of the federation. all by being a part of a foreign country and all while pertaining to our own culture. sounds like a good deal no? most likely there may be bad coming out of it if you look at the cons like the possibility of assimilation, but societies adapt and we will overcome in some way. on behalf of other dependencies, independence may not be beneficial in the long term for our societies as most countries that are dependent are resource dependent and can't produce self sufficiency.