mAlehetség

mAlehetség is a term that appears in some Hungarian-language discussions as a neologism to describe the tendency of a system to generate or permit adverse possibilities. It is used as a conceptual tool in fields such as risk studies, governance, and design thinking to highlight how structures, processes, or policies can create spaces for harmful outcomes even when no incorrect intention is present. The term is typically treated as a qualitative notion rather than a formal measurement.

Etymology and form: mAlehetség is formed from the Hungarian lehetség, meaning possibility, with a prefix-like element that signals risk or negativity. The unusual capitalization (the capital A inside the word) is sometimes employed in texts to draw attention to the indicative root or to mark the term as a coined concept. Because mAlehetség is not standardized in dictionaries, its exact derivation and usage can vary across authors.

Usage and applications: In practice, mAlehetség is invoked to discuss how design choices, organizational structures, or policy frameworks can inadvertently increase the likelihood of undesirable outcomes. Examples include urban planning that concentrates risk in certain areas, software with insufficient error handling that amplifies failure modes, or regulatory regimes that create loopholes. The concept encourages analysts to consider counterfactuals, contingencies, and safeguards that reduce the space of risky possibilities.

Criticism and relationship to other ideas: Some critics view mAlehetség as vague or rhetorical unless anchored by specific case studies or empirical analysis. It is related to, but distinct from, notions such as systemic risk, unintended consequences, resilience, and risk assessment.

See also: systemic risk, unintended consequences, resilience, risk assessment, governance.