Marc Becker
Comunas and Indigenous Protest in Cayambe, Ecuador
Gettysburg College
1930s period slow painful capitalist formation ecuadorian highlands marginalized indigenous peoples lived rural areas particularly felt economic transition modernizing elites utilized control state structures extend power remote corners republic also time gains social legislation including new laws dealt indian problem one primary examples type legislation 1937 ley de comunas extended legal recognition indian communities certain parts country central highland province chimborazo indigenous peoples quickly embraced comuna structure formed comunas area country see map 1 similar situations neighboring countries colombia peru indian villages also used legal frameworks government imposed communities petition ethnic economic demands