Evaluating Historical Arguments on Land Tenure
Two economic historians are debating the reasons for the stark difference in land ownership patterns observed at the boundaries of former Spanish colonial Mita districts, where large agricultural estates (haciendas) are prevalent just outside the districts but rare inside.
- Historian Garcia argues: 'The pattern is a direct result of a colonial labor policy. To prevent competition for workers needed in the mines, the crown actively prohibited the establishment of large estates within the Mita's jurisdiction. The sharp change in land tenure right at the boundary line is the key evidence for this policy's impact.'
- Historian Chen argues: 'The explanation is simpler and based on geography. The lands outside the Mita districts were likely more fertile or had better access to water, making them naturally more attractive for large-scale agriculture. The boundary is coincidental; hacienda owners simply chose the best land available.'
Evaluate the arguments of Historian Garcia and Historian Chen. Which argument provides a more compelling explanation for the observed sharp discontinuity in land tenure at the Mita boundary, and why?
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