Structure of colonial administration--mix of judicial, administrative, executive modeled after Spain
Audiencias: high court of appeals, founded early as check on conquistadores and crown authorities
Viceroys: wide array of powers, limited by short terms
Corregidores, local administrator, tax collector, justice of the peace
Cabildos, town councils of the richest families; coopted, not elected
But no Cortes (regional parliament), unlike in Spain