The Peasant Marketing System of Oaxaca, Mexico - by Ralph L Beals

Book Synopsis

The Peasant Marketing System of Oaxaca, Mexico provides a comprehensive exploration of the traditional and evolving marketing structures within Oaxaca's peasant economy. Rooted in anthropological inquiry, the study examines the scope, structure, and functioning of an intricate system that connects production, distribution, and consumption, offering insights into the adjustments necessitated by the region's increasing integration into a modernizing national economy. The analysis delves into the geographic and social limits of the marketplace, the roles of participants as producers, intermediaries, and consumers, and the economic alternatives available to them. By juxtaposing the enduring "traditional" system with its "modern" transformations post-1948, the book illustrates the interplay of longstanding cultural practices and contemporary economic pressures, creating a vivid picture of a society balancing heritage and change.

This monograph also emphasizes the historical foundations and external influences shaping the region's market dynamics. From pre-Columbian trade networks to Colonial modifications and the transformative impact of modern infrastructure like the Pan American Highway, the study captures the evolution of Oaxaca's economic landscape. Detailed fieldwork and historical analysis reveal how indigenous and mestizo populations navigate the shifting tides of supply and demand, integrating new goods and technologies while preserving cultural identity. Aimed at anthropologists, economists, and historians, the book bridges disciplinary gaps to illuminate the complexities of peasant marketing systems in a globalizing world, providing a nuanced perspective on the interdependence of tradition and modernization.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1975.