Google's decision to review its policies in China spurred lots of comments about business ethics and compliance to their "don't be evil" motto. Whether it is a matter of ethics or, more cynically, a business-driven decision, the debate is open – but, undeniably, what happened is relevant to freedom of speech in China.

As a citizen of the western world, what worries me is how this sets an example for governments and other corporations and how their reactions can be interpreted.

So, just to give an example, the Obama administration immediately voiced their support to Google – while, at the same time, I can't help pointing out the morally agnostic behaviour of the financial world to this issue

Baidu shares trading on Nasdaq rose 6.8 per cent in after-hours trading
on Tuesday, as a potential withdrawal by Google would consolidate its
dominance.
[via FT.com – registration required]

and keep asking myself questions about the ultimate role of finance in driving global policies, how are progressive parties adapting to this overlap of power between politics and corporations and, finally, how can we – as citizens – keep track of how our savings are invested?