The Historical Embedding of Group Inequalities: From the Colony to the War with Chile

Abstract

One hundred years ago, many important characteristics of the ethnic structure and attitudes towards ethnicity were already well-embedded. Where stories need to start is always a difficult matter — inequalities predate the colony, of course — but we consider that the particular shape the ethnic divide and the associated institutions have taken in Peru owes a great deal to the way the Spanish administered their colony and the institutions that were created. And the focus on the Coast and Lima that developed with Independence also laid down fundamental aspects for the polity as well as the economy. First we explore the ambiguities of the Spanish system of indirect rule — through local leaders, whose position became quite two-sided: the precursor of the institution of the ‘gamonal’, or local power broker and boss. We explore how the need for labour drove the creation of a system of control and exploitation that was unrelenting and maintained with vigour. We note the role of religion as part of the ‘cement’. We explore the differences with what was to become Bolivia, differences which centre in the diverging nature of the ‘intermediary’ system. Then we consider how following Independence, new elements developed — in particular the increasing concentration of the polity and economy on Lima and the Coast, compounded by guano.

*As explained in the Preface, Carlos Contreras is co-author of this chapter.