Back to basics, please

2009 offered a bewildering flashback to the 1970s: Ireland is poor, the UK is suffering from inflationary recession, the United States is on an appeasement tour, and Sweden is again promoting social democracy.

Food for though should be that the crisis had been fomented by irresponsible behavior (due to perverse regulations) but also by companies seeking rents, subsidies and special legislation.

Hope is offered then by Asia and Latin America, where Sebastian Pinera was elected president. Although not without blemishes as a businessman turned politician, he produced a most commendable slogan, saying he will be "friendly to markets, not to business".

Provided he makes this a guiding principle in government, he should be praised for such straight-talking after decades of state capitalism around the world. This could become an exemplary vision of how to finally deconnect businesss from politics.

Could Europe prove to be less corrupt than Chile? Or do we once more cave in to Chavez-like campaigns?