Authority, flexibility, and stability
Authoritarian structure checked by overlapping lines of authority
“Obedezco, pero no cumplo [I obey but do not comply].”--the freedom of distance (e.g., Mendoza declined to implement New Laws in New Spain)
Residencia, the end-of-term judicial review of injustice
Stability: persisted for 3 centuries, few riots or rebellions. Sale of offices weakened administration.