Changing Power Relations: The Rise of Peasant Unions on Traditional Ecuadorian Haciendas

Abstract

Landowners (patrons) cleave to the ideals of a bifurcated power hierarchy which unambiguously vests them with all power and authority. The concomitant peasant role is one of mute compliance; by ascription, peasants constitute an invisible and powerless labor force subject to the patrons' will. Ordinarily, ideal and actual hacienda relations closely overlap. But peasants on the several haciendas described here are less duty-bound to subscribe to the existing order. They are also more receptive to the innovative ideology unions espouse. Data suggest the following contribute to this turn of events: externally induced disruptions in local authority patterns, new economic pressures on the peasantry, and the transformation of closed societies to open ones linked with widespread institutions. The latter include Marxist-inspired labor organizations.

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