Inca decimal administration in the Lake Titicaca region

Julien, Catherine J.

essay

Inca decimal administration in the Lake Titicaca region

inca and aztec states, 1400-1800 : anthropology and history • New York • Published In 1982 • Pages: 119-151

By: Julien, Catherine J..

Abstract
Catherine Julien argues that the Inka curbed the power of local elites both by reducing their discretionary control over citizen's labor and by replacing possible dissidents. Since even decimal officials were obligated to participate in public works, albeit in inverse proportion to their rank, their relative status was symbolized in other ways. The hierarchical system, effaced heterogeneous regional variation in local leaders' claim to positions and paved the way for an imperial class system. Julien thus emphasizes how decimal administration would have rationalized state control, even in provinces from which populations were not removed by MITIMA assignments to other locations. Although Julien's evidentiary base differs little from that of Pease and Murra, …her analysis differs markedly. Whereas Murra discounts decimal administration because of its scant mention in the VISITAS, Julien stresses indirect evidence for decimal groupings. Whereas Murra emphasizes the ways in which provincial productive activities continued unchanged and whereas Pease sees only a limited surplus flowing to the Inkas, Julien points to the state's permanent expropriation of substantial proportions of provincial labor (p. 119).

Ethnic stratification

Moieties

Community heads

Territorial hierarchy

Towns

Provinces

External relations

Taxation and public income

Miscellaneous government activities

Inka

HRAF PubDate

2005