The King's Living Image: The Culture and Politics of Viceregal Power in Colonial Mexico

by Alejandro Caneque

Overview

The tension and constant conflicts that engulfed New Spain in the seventeenth century, constitute the most remarkable aspect of its political history in that period. Such tensions and confrontations clearly belie the traditional image of a colonial society dominated by a unified and coherent ruling elite with common goals. This work takes a fresh new look at the political culture of the Spanish monarchy and investigates the politics of imperial rule and viceregal power in 17th century Mexico as well as the construction of the colonial state. It recreates the logic of Spanish rule in order to examine the politics of viceregal authority and challenges long-held perspectives on colonial Spanish America and the political culture of the Spanish Monarchy. This work will redefine the ways in which scholars have traditionally looked at the viceregal administration in colonial Mexico and the Spanish empire in general.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415944441
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/15/2004
Series:	New World in the Atlantic World
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	416
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Alejandro Cañeque is an Assistant Professor of History and Latin American Studies at the Gallatin School of New York University.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations Acknowledgments Abbreviations List of Appendices Introduction: Rethinking The Spanish Empire in America I. Imagining the Viceroy The Rule of One The Image in the Mirror The Mystery of Power II. The Pillars of Government The Viceroy's Companions The Realm's Head III. In the Service of Two Majesties A Tale of Two Knives One Body, Two Heads A Remedy from Heaven IV. Performing Power The Politics of the Viceroy's Body Ritual Challenges The Preeminence of the Body V. The Economy of Favor On Favors and Rewards The Crown's Dilemma The Specter of Corruption VI. The Political Culture of Colonialism The Rhetoric of Wretchedness The Civilizing Mission To Serve Is To Be Civilized VII. Colonial Rhetoric and Indian Rebellion Two Republics and One Viceroy A Republic Without Rhyme or Reason The Return of The Wretched Indian Conclusion: The Power of the King's Image Bibliography Appendices Glossary Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Its ability to engage with important historiographical issues, to synthesize the various dimensions of New Spanish political culture and to present the whole in a readable and engaging way will make it a good choice for both specialists and advanced courses in colonial history." —Itinerario

'Based on an impressive array of published and archival sources, this work is a fine example of historical research and writing... The King's Living Image is an important and fresh study. It makes a major contribution to our undrestanding of viceregal political culture and power, and of Spanish colonialism more broadly.' - Latin American Studies

"This work is a fine example of historical research and writing as Caneque resurrects an important debate about the nature of the state and contributes to broader discussions about Spanish imperialism in suggestive ways." Susan Deans-Smith, Latin American Studies, Vol 39 2007

Editorial Reviews

"Its ability to engage with important historiographical issues, to synthesize the various dimensions of New Spanish political culture and to present the whole in a readable and engaging way will make it a good choice for both specialists and advanced courses in colonial history." --Itinerario

'Based on an impressive array of published and archival sources, this work is a fine example of historical research and writing... The King's Living Image is an important and fresh study. It makes a major contribution to our undrestanding of viceregal political culture and power, and of Spanish colonialism more broadly.' - Latin American Studies

"This work is a fine example of historical research and writing as Caneque resurrects an important debate about the nature of the state and contributes to broader discussions about Spanish imperialism in suggestive ways." Susan Deans-Smith, Latin American Studies, Vol 39 2007

From the Publisher