In all poor countries, city-dwellers are better informed, and less deferential, than peasants.

ECONOMIST: Press freedom

Executives, meanwhile, admit that the boot-camp approach that serves so well in China may not suit less deferential workers elsewhere.

ECONOMIST: China and the chaebol

Gradually, and with little help from Rome, the American church is becoming better attuned to a flock that has become less deferential and less inclined to take things on trust.

ECONOMIST: The pain of the sex-abuse scandal may be helping the church

And today's public is less deferential.

ECONOMIST: Rumour, tittle-tattle and gossip