Perusperiaatteina

Perusperiaatteina is a Finnish phrase meaning “as basic principles” or “as fundamental principles.” It is used to frame discussions, policies, or rules as being grounded in foundational values rather than arbitrary preferences. The expression commonly appears in legal, governmental, ethical, and organizational texts to signal that the following statements or directives are guided by essential principles.

Linguistic and grammatical notes

The term combines perus- (basic) with periaate (principle) and uses inflectional endings such as -na/-nä to convey role or function, producing forms like perusperiaatteena (as a basic principle) and perusperiaatteina (as basic principles). It is typically employed to introduce a list or framework, for example: “Perusperiaatteina pidämme rehellisyyttä, läpinäkyvyyttä ja vastuullisuutta” (As basic principles, we uphold honesty, transparency, and responsibility). The phrase is neutral in tone and functions as a framing device rather than a normative directive in itself.

Contexts of use

In policy and governance, perusperiaatteina denotes the foundational values guiding decisions, such as justice, equality, or public accountability. In corporate ethics, it identifies core values that underpin codes of conduct and risk management. In journalism and academic writing, it signals that subsequent analysis or recommendations are anchored in fundamental principles rather than expedient considerations.

Related terms and usage

Related forms include perusperiaate (basic principle) and perusperiaatteet (basic principles) in singular and plural contexts. The expression is typically contrasted with more specific rules or procedures, highlighting the overarching framework rather than individual prescriptions.

In sum, perusperiaatteina is a concise, neutral linguistic tool used in Finnish to designate foundational principles guiding actions, policies, and reasoning.