European University Institute Library

Corruption and justice in colonial Mexico, 1650-1755, Christoph Rosenmüller

eng

index present

non fiction

Corruption and justice in colonial Mexico, 1650-1755

electronic resource

dictionaries

1098275129

Christoph Rosenmüller

Cambridge Latin American studies, 113Cambridge Social Sciences eBooks

Corruption is one of the most prominent issues in Latin American news cycles, with charges deciding the recent elections in Mexico, Brazil, and Guatemala. Despite the urgency of the matter, few recent historical studies on the topic exist, especially on Mexico. For this reason, Christoph Rosenmüller explores the enigma of historical corruption. By drawing upon thorough archival research and a multi-lingual collection of printed primary sources and secondary literature, Rosenmüller demonstrates how corruption in the past differed markedly from today. Corruption in Mexico's colonial period connoted the obstruction of justice; judges, for example, tortured prisoners to extract cash or accepted bribes to alter judicial verdicts. In addition, the concept evolved over time to include several forms of self-advantage in the bureaucracy. Rosenmüller embeds this important shift from judicial to administrative corruption within the changing Atlantic World, while also providing insightful perspectives from the lower social echelons of colonial Mexico.--, Provided by publisher

Empire of justice -- From judicial to administrative corruption -- "This custom or better said corruption" : legal strategies and the native trade with the Alcaldes Mayores -- "Vile and abominable pacts" : the sale of judicial appointments and the great decline of viceregal patronage -- Criminal process and the "judge who is corrupted by money" -- Guilt and punishment for fraud, theft, and the "grave offense of bribery or corruption." -- The politics of justice : Francisco Garzaron's Visita (1716-1727) -- Conclusion : approaching historical corruption