The client network of the prince of Santo Buono, viceroy of Peru, beyond his entourage. Study from a satire against corruption

Abstract

Based on a political satire, La comedia del cannot be, written in the form of a theatrical work, not to be represented but to criticize the task of government and the circle of people that surrounded the prince of Santo Buono, viceroy of Peru between 1716 and 1719, two essential elements of his mandate are studied in this contribution. In the first place, compared to the classic works that are usually carried out only by the entourage that accompanied the viceroys from Spain, we analyze the clientele network that surrounded the viceroy, made up of social actors who resided in Lima and who belonged to the Court and the Court Major of Accounts. Secondly, comparing Santo Buono's residence trial with the criticisms made in this theatrical satire, the practices linked to corruption that he carried out during his government stage are studied. The study of both elements, the local clientele network and the dynamics of corruption, is approached in an interrelated way.