It isn't only Germany's Europe of Rules that is restricting policy choice: Policy makers are also held back by fear of the financial markets and by their past promises, such as that Greece would be the last euro-zone government to restructure its debt.

WSJ: Euro-Zone Rigidity Said to Add Risk in Bloc

And the owners of four of the most vulnerable bungalows fear their homes may be claimed by the forces of nature before that choice becomes an issue.

BBC: Knipe Point cliff homes threatened by new landslip

In 2010 Argentina held back choice artworks from a festival in Frankfurt for fear of German creditors.

ECONOMIST: Hold-out creditors seize an Argentine ship in Ghana

That fear has combined with the boomer generation's experience of limitless choice, whether of which television channel to watch or what type of mustard to slap on a sandwich.

ECONOMIST: Doctor-assisted suicide

After six years in nursing, unsatisfied with the career choice I had made, I woke up to a different kind of fear: The fear of becoming like the other no-risk nurses tired, burned out and old before their time.

NPR: Stepping Out of Fear

Clearly, Mr Jospin, apparently first choice in the first round for 26% of the voters, has little to fear on the left.

ECONOMIST: France's presidential hopefuls

Or should the women of this country, and all pro-choice men, run away from his candidacy in fear?

FORBES: Romney's Across-the-Board Abortion Problem: 'All of the Above' Is Not a Choice

The steps taken today will not only protect consumer choice, but defend certainty for innovators to continue to deliver new services and apps without fear of being blocked.

ENGADGET: Verizon to stop blocking tethering apps, settles with FCC for $1.25 million