It was his best chance to deter the pervasive corruption of Wall Street.

NEWYORKER: A Dirty Business

O'Brien doesn't let government obstructionism or corruption deter him.

FORBES: Babble Rouser

What one knows, with data from over 150 countries, for over 60 years, and over 6 billion people, is that high tax rates deter compliance and hence increase corruption.

FORBES: KMPG Examines India's Most Corrupt Cos in New Report

Since polls suggest that the opposition Alliance, provided it remains united, may very well win the presidential election in 1999, that would leave Mr Menem handily placed as leader of the opposition even a potential candidate in 2003 (there is no constitutional bar against that) and meanwhile strong enough, perhaps, to deter any investigation into the allegations of corruption that have swirled around his presidency.

ECONOMIST: Menem forswears a third term, for 1999 anyway | The

Yet both election rivals still need to find answers to problems that Mr Simitis has failed to solve: creating more jobs, tackling corruption and removing bureaucratic hurdles that deter foreign investors.

ECONOMIST: Greek politics