Like many governments across Europe that have been scarred by the bond market turmoil that forced Greece and four other countries to need rescue loans, Britain is focusing on reducing debt quickly, even at the cost of short-term economic pain.

NPR: UK In Dark Mood As New Recession May Be Confirmed

By keeping the worst in business, they avoided the pain of closures, but at the cost of condemning better banks to meagre profits for years.

ECONOMIST: Situation normal | The

It mitigated the pain and hunger of poverty, but often at the cost of undermining the self-esteem, aspirations and work of low-income people.

FORBES: Connect