Vital Enemies: Slavery, Predation, and the Amerindian Political Economy of Life - by Fernando Santos-Granero

In Vital Enemies, Fernando Santos-Granero explores the complex dynamics of slavery and predation among indigenous societies in the Americas. He challenges traditional views of pre-Columbian economies by showing how the Amerindian political economy was shaped by the relationships of dependence, exploitation, and mutual interdependence between various groups. The book examines how warfare, slavery, and the extraction of resources were central to maintaining social order, highlighting the importance of these "vital enemies" in sustaining political and economic systems.