The American people are not absolutist, and they don't elect us to impose a rigid ideology on our problems.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama: Our Security, Our Values

Though the financial markets have recently taken a slightly more relaxed view of Argentina's problems, under the country's rigid currency-board scheme any firm recovery from its current lengthy recession depends on inflows of money from abroad.

ECONOMIST: Argentina

Many of the problems of the public services arise because of rigid employment practices.

ECONOMIST: Labour and the unions

So at a meeting with Mr Cardoso this week, congressional leaders promised greater urgency on constitutional amendments aimed at tackling Brazil's rigid and generous entitlement system, which is the root of its fiscal problems.

ECONOMIST: Brazil on borrowed time

Problems have included price controls, which prevent below-cost selling, rigid labour laws and tough zoning regulations, which make it extremely difficult to build big stores.

ECONOMIST: Wal-Mart