The Reform Projects in the Peruvian Viceroyalty at the Beginning of the 18th Century. Failures and Successes of Political, Social and Economic Proposals

Over the past several decades, historians have paid increasing attention to the changes in society, politics, and the military brought about by the Bourbon government in the early eighteenth century. Although largely unsuccessful, the reforms undertaken in the first two decades in the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily, New Spain, and Peru highlight an important initial attempt to make the monarchy’s government more functional. This article analyses the reform proposals drafted by Carmine Nicola Caracciolo, Prince of Santobuono, during his tenure as Viceroy of Peru (1716-1721). Special focus will be given to proposals that did not lead to successful results, such as establishing the Viceroyalty of New Granada, reforming postal services, abolishing the mita system, and revising the responsibilities of the corregidores.