The debate about the Eurozone crisis has moved onto issues of political accountability and responsibility.
We have the governments of two historically important countries – Greece and Italy – in the hands of technocrats rather elected politicians, and many, including Aditya Chakrabortty in the Guardian , are asking: is this right?
In many senses, it isn’t. No public mandate exists for technocrats to lead a democratic, nation state.
But at this moment of crisis, the operating principle is ‘needs must’, and the real question is whether or not sufficient expertise can be brought together to allow the European project to do its job in investing in, and providing for, its citizens.
Technocratic skills are vital if Europe is to be able to effectively target and move money to address [...]

I was intrigued by this article in the Times last month about Nicholas Sarkozy. At first glance, Sarkozy appears unbelievably arrogant, denigrating other leaders and feeding his own insatiable ego, saying France is fine but everyone else isn’t. However there’s much more to Sarkozy’s comments under the surface. [...]