What fundamental concept does the encomienda system challenge?

The encomienda system is a historical institution established during the Spanish colonization of the Americas that fundamentally challenged the concept of equality among different social classes. Under this system, Spanish colonizers were granted the right to extract labor and tribute from indigenous people in return for supposed protection and conversion to Christianity. This created a stark inequality between the Spanish encomenderos, who held power and wealth, and the indigenous populations, who were subjected to exploitative labor conditions and had little to no rights.

The system institutionalized a hierarchy that placed Spain and its settlers in a superior position to the native peoples, reinforcing social stratification based on ethnicity and colonial status. Thus, it directly contradicts the notion of equality, as it established an oppressive dynamic that benefitted a small class at the expense of a significantly larger one. This exploitation marked a significant divergence from principles of fairness and equity in societal structures.