godtyckligt

Godtyckligt is a Swedish adjective meaning arbitrary, capricious, or decided without a basis in rules, evidence, or objective criteria. It is used to criticize actions or decisions that appear driven by personal whim rather than documented procedures. The related noun godtycke refers to a whim or arbitrariness, and the adverbial form is godtyckligt.

The exact etymology is not definitively documented, but the term centers on making decisions based on personal whim rather than law or objective criteria. The concept is widely understood in everyday language as a critique of inconsistent or biased judgment, whether in everyday decisions or formal processes.

In legal and administrative contexts, godtyckligt describes decisions that are not adequately motivated or justified by applicable law or facts. Swedish administrative law emphasizes legal certainty, equal treatment, and due process; therefore authorities should base decisions on established criteria and provide clear reasoning. A ruling deemed godtyckligt can be subject to review or appeal. In broader discourse, the term is often invoked to argue that policies or practices lack transparency, consistency, or accountability.

Distinctions matter: godtyckligt is not the same as slumpmässigt (random). Slumpmässigt implies chance, whereas godtyckligt implies a biased or whimsical influence on the outcome. In both everyday and professional contexts, labeling a decision as godtyckligt signals perceived unfairness or inconsistency and calls for justification based on standards or rules.