Economic relationships in Pre-Columbian Mexico show that Aztec rulers were ruthless exploiters

Spanish conquerors did not themselves bring inequality to the Aztec lands they invaded, they merely built on the socio-economic structure that was already in place, adapting it as it suited their plans.

The elite dominated the commoners by holding exclusive control over resources.

The imperial ruling class, the provincial ruling class and the non-ruling nobles amounted to less than 2% of the total population.