Financial Times Commentary 4/26

Financial Times - Comment

More reform, less austerity for Europe

The War of the Coding Error is another salutary reminder that the economy is too important to be left to economists, writes Philip Stephens http://link.ft.com/r/CTBPCC/XB7QVB/3O62UJ/XH311V/OFAARD/SN/h?a1=2013&a2=4&a3=26

The pros and cons of a floating currency

The UK’s flexible exchange rate has given it monetary and fiscal policy autonomy but not a big adjustment in the current account, writes Martin Wolf http://link.ft.com/r/CTBPCC/XB7QVB/3O62UJ/XH311V/FDBBK2/SN/h?a1=2013&a2=4&a3=26

Corruption and chaos in sport of sheikhs

The Godolphin doping scandal highlights the complexity of racing globally and the spheres of influence within it, writes Matthew Engel http://link.ft.com/r/CTBPCC/XB7QVB/3O62UJ/XH311V/HI88YA/SN/h?a1=2013&a2=4&a3=26

The courts can cut off Assad’s supply line

The flow of financial and other resources that sustains Syria’s agony is also the weakness of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, writes Owen Barder http://link.ft.com/r/CTBPCC/XB7QVB/3O62UJ/XH311V/8733Z6/SN/h?a1=2013&a2=4&a3=26

Banks could curb rise in payday lending

High street lenders have a chance to make money by performing a social good at the expense of an exploitative sector, writes Gillian Guy http://link.ft.com/r/CTBPCC/XB7QVB/3O62UJ/XH311V/OFAAR5/SN/h?a1=2013&a2=4&a3=26

Fear not, Boston, this feeling will pass

It can take a moment of malice to awaken people to their own strength and goodness but the pain lingers, writes Gary Silverman http://link.ft.com/r/CTBPCC/XB7QVB/3O62UJ/XH311V/HI88Y5/SN/h?a1=2013&a2=4&a3=26

US mortgage market on state support

Private sector involvement in the mortgage-backed securities market has practically disappeared in the US and there is little pressure for that to change http://link.ft.com/r/CTBPCC/XB7QVB/3O62UJ/XH311V/B4115G/SN/h?a1=2013&a2=4&a3=26

Italy’s clubby system needs fresh blood

Business leaders support the idea of giving another generation a chance to lead. But the elder statesmen in business aren’t going without a fight http://link.ft.com/r/CTBPCC/XB7QVB/3O62UJ/XH311V/Q377NK/SN/h?a1=2013&a2=4&a3=26

China concern over volunteer aid response

This week’s earthquake in Sichuan province highlights China’s distrust of civic society as aid groups are banned from the worst affected areas http://link.ft.com/r/CTBPCC/XB7QVB/3O62UJ/XH311V/4VJJC6/SN/h?a1=2013&a2=4&a3=26