In the province of Sinaloa and Durango, colloquially known as the Badlands of the Mexican northwest, the idea of the subaltern has been carefully cultivated over the centuries. In the past it was based on class and economic conditions. In recent times, however, it has been drawn along the lines of power politics. A subaltern in these badlands is one who has either defied the law or is constantly at odds with the law—subverting, bending and defying it. A great majority of the inhabitants of the region, who either directly or indirectly engage with narcotics production or sale, have fallen foul of the law but nonetheless demand that the state leaves them to their own devices.