Dynamics of Continuity and Change

Shifts in Labour Relations in the Potosí Mines (1680–1812)

Bibliographic Data

ID9969460
AuthorsRossana Barragán Romano (International Institute of Social History, corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume61
IssueS24
Pages93-114
Publication date2016-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Review of Social History (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0020-8590 • E-ISSN: 1469-512X
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0020859016000511
OpenAlexW2558456234
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited15

Labour relations in the silver mines of Potosí are almost synonymous with the mita , a system of unfree work that lasted from the end of the sixteenth century until the beginning of the nineteenth century. However, behind this continuity there were important changes, but also other forms of work, both free and self-employed. The analysis here is focused on how the “polity” contributed to shape labour relations, especially from the end of the seventeenth century and throughout the eighteenth century. This article scrutinizes the labour policies of the Spanish monarchy on the one hand, which favoured certain economic sectors and regions to ensure revenue, and on the other the initiatives both of mine entrepreneurs and workers – unfree, free, and self-employed – who all contributed to changing the system of labour

Dynamics (music · Economic history · Economics · Economy · Political economy · Political science · Polity · Revenue · Sociology · Work (physics · Engineering · Historical Studies in Latin America · History · History and Politics in Latin America · Law · Politics and Society in Latin America