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GOVERNMENT: HIEROCRACY .
Before the Mayas developed the hierocracy they lived in small farming communities ruled by local officials. Due to innovations in farming, population growth, and expanding trading, the need for a government to administer the prosperity of urban and rural activities seems to be another reason why the Mayas adopted the hierocracy.
Around 300 b.c, the Mayas adopted the hierocracy system of government, which means nobles and knigs ruled them. It had lots of independent states, each with a rural farming community and large urban cities built around ceremonial center.
The hierocracy was set up like a typical social structure; at the top was the king, followed by the nobles and the priests, then the teachers, scribes, warriors, and the administers, and the merchants, laborers, and farmers at the bottom.
Some of the kings duties were maintaining control over his kingdom, setting up military offenses to spread his territory and defending it against invaders, proving to be worthy of the throne while keeping the well-being of the citizens in mind, and being able to defend his position if ever challenged by someone within the nobility. The king had the responsibility of negotiating with trade allies, keeping up with the business of the state, and establishing architectural projects. The major duty of the king was to interact with the spiritual world to bring power back to the real world to guide his kingdom (www.civilization.com).
Within the hierocracy, the priests also had a great amount of power. The exchanging of slaves was very common (www.mythicjourneys.org).
CULTURE.
People of the Maya world believed everything had natural power and there wasn't a difference between the natural and supernatural power. For example mountains and Jaguars had spirits with power; ghosts are out at night and spirits roam through the creatures in the Jungles. Although the Mayas were part of a strict theocratic hierocracy, warfare did play an important role in their culture.