Such is a stark reminder of the power and autonomy of markets, and what happens to those who do not respect that power.

FORBES: By Jim Wyckoff O Kitco News

Rather than subdividing a given quantify of power, autonomy adds to the total amount of power available to do work.

FORBES: Connect

Although these made perfect strategic sense, the business unit leaders perceived the shifts as a potential loss of autonomy, power, and control.

FORBES: Three Steps for Overcoming Passive Resistance

"Schools are taking up our offer to become academies because they recognise the huge benefits of being an academy - more autonomy, more power to teachers, and an opportunity to thrive, free from interference from government, " said Mr Gove.

BBC: One in 10 secondary schools is now an academy

The Welsh will have less autonomy (see article), somewhere between the power of a French regional council and a Spanish regional government.

ECONOMIST: Devolution: The choice for Scotland and Wales | The

Even if the people of Scotland decide to turn down the offer of independence, the constitutional ramifications will still be significant, with much more power and autonomy likely to accrue to Holyrood.

BBC: Shopping lists and top tables

In return for this autonomy, which a lot of heads welcome, Labour says that it wants the power to fire heads of under-performing schools.

ECONOMIST: New ideas for running health and education

Glimpses of leading thinkers and the human values they argued for include Immanuel Kant (moral and intellectual autonomy), Benjamin Constant (protection from arbitrary power) and John Stuart Mill (promotion of human individuality).

ECONOMIST: Liberalism