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This article proposes the "dyadic contract" as a model for understanding the social structure of a Mexican peasant village. Foster argues that the traditional patron-client relationship, characterized by reciprocal obligations and personalized exchanges, permeates various aspects of village life, extending beyond economic transactions to encompass social, political, and religious spheres. He demonstrates how these dyadic contracts, formed between individuals of unequal status, create a network of vertical alliances that provide a framework for social organization and influence individual behavior. The model emphasizes the importance of personal loyalty, trust, and mutual dependence in maintaining social cohesion within the village context. Foster suggests that this framework offers a more nuanced understanding of peasant society than models based solely on kinship or class.

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