Law of the funnel

It is known as law of the funnel an expression popularly coined to denounce an obvious injustice that no one dares to subvert and that often arises from some confrontation or dispute in which the strongest always wins., not the one who is more right, violating the just principle of equity. Basically it settles the question raised between Solon and Anacharsis the Scythian about the nature of justice, the sources of law and legitimacy.

The unique mandate of this law can be summarized as: "The law of the funnel: / narrow it for others, / wide it for oneself" (saying), referring to the shape of the funnel. In countries with symptoms of kleptocracy, there is a tendency to legislate applying such a practice.

It is a very common expression in Spanish-speaking countries.

It is a "law" contrary to the principles of equality before the law and equity; The use of this phrase, in some cases, may imply a criticism against the powers that be.

Uses of the expression

Argentina

In Argentina it is also applied to a specific situation, which is expressed in vulgar words such as "(the law of the funnel), the prettiest with the most idiotic" and other variants in which the rhyme with the word "funnel" is sought, for example "(the law of the funnel), the strongest with the most idiotic", etc.

Colombia

In Colombia it was a symbol of the identity of the April 19 Movement (M-19) and its founder Jaime Bateman Cayón, who proposed as the anthem of the organization a vallenato song composed by Hernando Marín and performed by Beto Zabaleta with the accordion by Emilio Oviedo, very popular in leftist groups, "The Law of the Funnel".

I am the singer of the village,

I'm the one who defends the population, where the government doesn't come, That's where my sad song is born, I'm the one who hears his crying and with them, I share the need, and we better ask the saints, 'Cause the one who's ruling I think that's because I'm not leaving, like they have everything in hand, They don't give a damn about the lost humanity.

The law of the funnel, the wide pa' them and the narrow pa' one, Whale law, I want it pa' one and wide pa' it, the law of the strongest, as the brave become armed, and this law of the singer, because this system became standard

The dishes that break the government, I pay my people working in the sun, They don't have either sun or roof, because his work has no value, they spend their lives fighting but this singer of the population, he will continue his efforts to achieve it, that my forgotten people may receive redemption the system has marginalized us, But you have to keep fighting until you're the winner.

The law of the funnel, the wide pa' them and the narrow pa' one, Whale law, I want it pa' one and wide pa' it, the law of the strongest, as the brave become armed, and this law of the singer,

because this system became standard.

Hernando Marín

Spain

In Spain the expression 'having the upper hand' is used; to refer to someone who holds absolute power and dictates what is legitimate to others. Similar expressions are “to be the one who cuts the cod”, “to be the one who runs the show” or "have the lion's share" or leonine, in allusion to the well-known fable of Aesop. When this power derives from the powerful defenders or protectors of those who rule, the proverb is also cited: "He who does not have godparents is not baptized,", just as "the commandments of the world / are reduced to two: / you take off / let me put it on" and "You say what you want, I'll do whatever I want." Other similar expressions are "God give you luck, knowing is worthless" and the lamenting 'I always have to dance with the ugliest'. The custom of "letters of recommendation" and the existence of guarantors, pressure groups, very numerous assessments and scales susceptible to manipulation and subjective interpretation also have to do with this custom.

The use of the expression is identified in the ways of legislating, the state bureaucratic model, and since the appearance of immense cases of corruption or widespread blunders with the bipartisanship, sometimes considered a defender of the kleptocracy.

In popular culture

Mexico

In Mexico, in the film "Lagunilla, mi barrio", the character of Doña Lancha (played by Lucha Villa) appeals to the law of the funnel to demand that a woman not be arbitrarily detained. person not directly accused of a robbery (Don Abel, played by Manolo Fábregas, when the culprit was El tirantes, played by Héctor Suárez).

The law of the funnel in Martín Fierro

The law is spider web,

and in my ignorance I explain,
not the rich man,
not the subject that commands,
because it breaks the big bug
And just piss off the kids.

It's the law like rain,
can never be a couple,
the one that holds the complaint,
the more the matter is simple,
The law is like the knife,
It doesn't offend whoever handles it.

He's usually called a sword.
and the name suits you,
the ones who handle it see
where they are to give the tajo,
falls to who's down,
And cut without seeing who.

There are many who are doctors,
and his undeniable science,
But I am a tough man,
and even though I do not understand
I am seeing daily

that apply the funnel.

Martin FierroJosé Hernández.