Commentariat

FT

If EU policymakers want to stimulate innovative new drugs, they must promote public investment in medical research, improving the climate for clinical trials

The question is whether Hillary Clinton can subordinate not just her opinions but her political ambitions to making the Obama administration a success

Lenders should heed the example of The Royal Bank of Scotland. But the only way to avoid prolonged hardship is for the banks to make credit available

The siege of Mumbai is over. Now the hand-wringing and the finger-pointing begins - a dangerous period that needs desperately to be turned to advantage, regionally and…

People’s power normally elicits at least a frisson of sympathy. But the antics of the People’s Alliance for Democracy - which neither represents the people nor seeks…

What is the future of finance? Decisions, taken in haste, seem to be generating two answers of enormous potential significance: a shift back towards banks and away…

Thailand’s elites need to start thinking of the whole nation and to ensure that rural Thais do not miss out on the fruits of economic success

Defining the extent of central banks’ role in reopening closed financial markets is a challenge the authorities must confront, ideally collectively

A determined push is needed to resolve festering regional conflicts before they become stitched into a broader pattern of international confrontation

I recently got angry at a guy who stood me up on our first date, using his job as an excuse, much like my previous boyfriend. Am I punishing him for my ex’s behaviour?

When spending falls, some products do well and others do badly. The jobless save on ’small durables’, but once employed, replace their old socks, writes Tim Harford

Regulators should weigh compensation schemes in the balance when judging a financial company’s risks, and penalise poorly designed contracts

Tough times are hitting the fake luxury goods trade. It seems that more and more Chinese consumers would rather rent the genuine thing than buy a fake

The British government must answer questions on police actions after the absurd over-reaction of the arrest of a leading opposition MP

Recent weeks have seen extraordinary interventions in financial markets by authorities. The latest move was this week’s announcement by the Federal Reserve that it…

If terrorism is a targeted act of violence against civilians designed to have a random and multiplying effect, then the attackers in Mumbai have learnt the formula…

Providing for a nation’s old age is probably the longest-term issue facing any government, So an off-the-cuff comment is not the obvious way to develop pensions…

Measures to limit the severity of the present crisis without exacerbating long-term risks will test their balancing skills

What matters now is that the Indian government does not overreact. Otherwise, the attackers really will have got the terror formula right

David Cameron was right to open the question about moving public sector workers away from final salary pensions to defined contribution schemes

While some of the markets that had shown the greatest promise for the industry’s revival now seem to be stalling, others that until recently appeared totally closed could start opening up

The UK government may be congratulating itself on plaudits from its own side for the 45% top rate of income tax. But the changes laid out this week deserve opposition not applause

Cheerleaders for new taxes are often in short supply. So the government may be congratulating itself on plaudits from its own side for the 45 per cent top rate of…

Europe finds itself at a crossroads. The economic malaise will not only test institutions of the European Union, but more importantly the commitment of member states…

The friend of your enemy is not necessarily your enemy. But China seems to think it is. Nicolas Sarkozy, France’s president, currently occupying the chair of the…