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This article discusses the economic production of indigenous populations in Guatemala during the 20th century. The author compares and contrasts this indigenous production with capitalism, with particular emphasis on two main characteristics, namely the free market and private industry. He also considers the impact of peace treaties between these native groups and the Guatemalan government, especially the Acuerdo sobre Identidad y Derecho de los Pueblos Indígenas (Agreement on the Identity and Rights of Indigenous Peoples), which lent official recognition to Guatemalan Indians.

This article presents a response to the article titled "Las formas de producción indígena y su comparación con la forma de producción capitalista: los estudios del siglo XX," by Miguel von Hoegen, which was published in this issue of the journal. The author comments on von Hoegen's contributions to the field of social anthropology and sociology through this work. He also commends the extensive research that was undertaken in studying the local economies of the multitude of native groups of Guatemala to develop a better understanding of their relation to capitalism.