Romania has been able to replace about a third of its total of judges and prosecutors, 1200 in all. This is quite an accomplishment considering that they cannot be fired due to judicial independence.. Instead under a new law they are now required to publish their assets and incomes on the internet. New wealth, new property, new cars have to come from somewhere and are not affordable on a judge’s salary. Rather than endure censor, the judges left.

In addition to cleaning house, cases are now assigned randomly, so it is no longer possible to get a friendly judge or proscuctor. These changes are due to two things. First, pressure from the EU to make changes in order qualify for membership. The second is the reforming zeal of non-party justice minister, Monica Macovei, and the country's president, Traian Basescu, a former sea-captain and then a popular mayor of Bucharest.

In Indonesia current chief justice, Bagir Manan, was able to get parliament to allow him to appoint less corrupt non-career judges. He has also been successful in dismissing five insubordinate judges. The powers of the judiciary have also been taken away from other branches of government and returned to where they belong. Unfortunately, there has not been any improvement in judicial salaries, a main cause for corruption.

The reforms in Roumania and Indonesia are both small steps, but they are extremely important ones. If Ms. Macovei is correct and the reforms are irreversable, then these countries will be on the road to becoming rule based rather than relation based systems. Apparently the market has already noticed. Economic growth and foreign investment are already increasing in both countries. With any luck, these markets will be ready for periods of high growth over the next few years. They should be the subject of both further scrutiny and consideration for investors.