There were also increases in labour-market flexibility through improving job search for those on benefits, reducing replacement rates, increasing in-work benefits and restricting union power.

FORBES: The Economic Legacy Of Margaret Thatcher

That opinion does signal that, unlike Justice O'Connor, and, certainly, unlike some of the others on the current court, he will be interested, let's just say, in restricting Congress' power under the Commerce Clause in a way that could have serious implications for the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act.

NPR: Reviewing Alito's Dissents

Yes, Android might be "open" in the sense that the source code is available, but there's no doubt Google's wielded incredible power over the platform by restricting access to Market and its own apps -- power that hasn't been used to prevent carrier-mandated bloatware or poorly-done manufacturer skinning, but has instead apparently been used to block legitimate competitors like Skyhook from doing business.

ENGADGET: Skyhook: Google forced Motorola to drop our location service, delay the Droid X

So unless it is prepared to let power shortages continue restricting growth, Brazil may be better off switching back towards a free market, difficult though it may be to get right.

ECONOMIST: Brazil's energy crisis

There has been a bias towards centre-left organisations, with a particular emphasis on those promoting policies that are unpopular with the public, such as increasing foreign aid, restricting lifestyle freedoms and further centralising power within EU institutions.

FORBES: Sockpuppetry: The European Union Is The World's Largest Astroturfing Operation

In 1986, South Africa declared a national state of emergency, giving virtually unlimited power to security forces and severely restricting news coverage of unrest.

CNN: Wednesday