The Scottish group said employers were "delaying decision-making ahead of the phased introduction of auto enrolment" but added it was "well positioned to benefit from pension reform".

BBC: Standard Life reports sales fall

Even where nations like Germany and France were disposed to take visionary actions (such as immediate recognition of Croatia and Slovenia -- and even the introduction of armed peacekeepers), the lowest-common denominator character of these organizations' consensus decision-making mechanisms made such actions utter non-starters.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy