Cacao and economic inequality in colonial Soconusco, Chiapas, Mexico

This study explores how participation in the colonial world economic system influenced patterns of economic inequality within and among the indigenous communities of the Soconusco region of Chiapas, Mexico. Specifically, the research addresses frequently debated issues regarding changing levels of economic stratification within colonial Indian communities and among modern peasant communities as participation in the world economy increases. An analysis of documentary and archaeological data from Soconusco reveals that during the course of approximately 250 years, both leveling and increased stratification occurred in different towns and at different times. Further examination of historical data provides possible explanations for the variable trends. The research demonstrates that diachronic analysis covering centuries rather than decades is critical to our understanding of changing levels of economic inequality.