In that spirit, in a new report by Conciliation Resources, a London-based organisation, a group of mainly leftish authors argues for local peace initiatives and more civic participation in peace talks.

ECONOMIST: Colombia's paramilitaries: Disarming, bit by bit | The

Others point to Ireland's two-tier model: an ombudsman who tries to resolve complaints by members of the public through free-of-charge conciliation with the newspaper in question, and a more formal press council that upholds a code of conduct.

ECONOMIST: Politics and the press: Press ganged | The

Yet there is evidence of a growing desire by shareholders to tighten corporate governance, along with a mood of conciliation among bosses.

ECONOMIST: Robert Nardelli leaves Home Depot with a big pay-off