Even the compensation adviser to the Obama administration, who is nearly powerless now that big banks have returned their bailout funds, is getting a say on pay packages.
The book chronicles a leader who is unassertive in cabinet, nearly powerless in hiring or firing ministers in a broad coalition and passive to a fault before colleagues' disdain.
The film shows that individuals in every nation are nearly powerless before the global economy, a force that shatters tradition and compels people to think of themselves as self-interested free agents.
As a result, the Americans and the new Iraqi government are faced with a growing danger that -- as long as they adhere to the agreement to stay out of the city -- they are nearly powerless to confront.
Once embarked on his vengeful path, he is seized with brainstorms so intense they drive him to the brink of insanity, which he is smart enough to recognize but nearly powerless to control.
It also exemplifies two trends: how casual rape can be in a society where girls are nearly powerless and law enforcement is weak; and how even a rape with little violence can carry a death sentence.
The elections, which drew a large turnout, were for the territory's 18 district councils, nearly powerless bodies with minimal budgets that advise the government on traffic problems and other local issues.
Now all they have is this sidewalk in Phnom Penh, where they subsist for the moment on donations from aid groups and sacks of rice from King Norodom Sihanouk, the nearly powerless monarch, who lives next door in his palace.
