Aspects of Group Relations in a Complex Society: Mexico 1

Abstract

A treatment of the interdependence of the diff groups within a complex society, in terms of Mexico. The formulation follows J. Steward: that whole communities have come to play a specialized role within the larger whole & that special functions pertaining to the larger whole have become the tasks of special groups within communities. The paper focuses on the econ & pol'al aspects of the relations between these groups & their historical development. This has been a series of power realignments. Since Columbian times a number of rearrangements in the relations between community-oriented & nationoriented groups have occurred in Mexico. During the 1st period, pol'al power was concentrated on the national level in the hands of royal officials, who struggled with colonist-entrepreneurs for the control of Indian labor. The royal officials organized corporate Indian communities that long resisted outside change. In the next period the entrepreneurs, specifically the hacienda owners, threw off royal control & set up autonomous local enclaves dependent on them. They rendered the central gov impotent. In their turn, they were destroyed by the 19th & 20th cent agrarian revolution which returned power to the central gov, which, by organized nationalized farm communities (ejidos), seeks to control local communities directly. This control is mitigated by technologically more modern Ru entrepreneurs. In each period outside 'thirds' acted as go-betweens between the major groups. This analysis is a new approach for anthrop, but it is contended a necessary one. In the present instance it sheds new light on group relations in Mexico--new group relations that tend to contribute to the preservation of traditional cultural forms. Further, this analysis has shown the importance of the 'broker' who mediates between the community-oriented groups & the natioq-oriented groups. The 'broker' is in an exposed position & thus is in a good spot for a study of dysfunctions in complex systems. R. Landman .