• Journal of International Area Studies (JIAS)
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.223-240
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• 2010

In this article I would like to propose the characteristics of "Village Council(Consejo del Pueblo)" as a sociopolitical device and institution, which maintains and encompasses all aspects of governance in a decentralized authority. A brief definition of Village Council is a "select group of people from the same village who are in charge of deciding the most important affairs of the village". The Village Council took charge of the most fundamental aspects of prehispanic Mayan society, most significantly, during the Late Postclassical era. The members of this council were respected people from the village, but not necessarily the people who held high positions within the hierarchical structure of Mayan society. It is likely that they were selected by the public in a direct way. This is the most essential bureaucratic institution in terms of the control of the political and socioeconomical affairs. The important decisions regarding legislation, the governance and jurisdiction of the village were entrusted to the council. Especially, the Village Council was responsible for monitoring and punishing the abuses of village governors. The majority of the members of the council were elders, consequently, the council was a political institution, more powerful than the governorships. The "Multepal" of Yucatán, could be an example of the Village Council during the late postclassic period.