Discuss the economic and political organization of one religious order in Spanish America.

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the economic and political organization of any one religious order within Spanish America. While the Franciscan, Jesuit and Dominican orders are the most likely orders to be addressed, allow any relevant example, such as the Augustinians. For political organization, candidates may choose to focus on the hierarchical nature of the religious order, how far the order was autocratic or democratic and how far indigenous people were allowed positions of importance. For economic organization, candidates may choose to focus on the mendicant nature of the order, vows of poverty, transfer of rights of inheritance, the extent of economic self-sufficiency, the utilization of large estates, convents and monasteries as well as economic relationships with the indigenous population. Regardless of emphasis, both economic and political organization must be discussed.