Here and there, the usual arbitrary rule is giving way to more enlightened attitudes.

ECONOMIST: Japan

"But the effect of arbitrary rule changes has been to discourage and undermine the morale of some head teachers, " he said.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Education | Long road out of special measures

Why make fans stay up until two or three in the morning and restrict the number of debut-night showings, studio executives reasoned, based on an arbitrary rule?

WSJ: Hollywood Stretches Out Movie 'Openings'

State and federal sentencing guidelines have been introduced, over the past two decades, to rule out arbitrary behaviour by judges.

ECONOMIST: Sentencing rules: Mopping up after Blakely | The

The Bolivarian state wants to rule in a most arbitrary manner and have its prerogatives above any civil group.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: chavez_with_fidel copy

And in the general election itself it is by no means certain that Mr Hague's promise to rule out British membership for an arbitrary period of two parliaments will play better than Mr Blair's promise of a referendum as soon as the time is right.

ECONOMIST: Roll up that map of Europe

It is commonly agreed that the rule of law is one of the great bulwarks against the exercise of arbitrary power.

FORBES: Why Justice Breyer Should Steer Clear of Political Science