This study of a Mexican ejido puts emphasis on internal differentiation in wealth and socio-political status among its members over the years, and how it affected the ejido as a grassroots organisation.

Underlying this theme there are certain more general arguments advanced regarding the phenomenon of peasant differentiation and its implications for peasant-based strategies of rural development. Ultimately, there are both theoretical and practical dimensions to the study which have relevance beyond the ejido as such.