Any split in the party would separate its hard-liners, led by Mr. Mugabe, from reformers who favor more democratic rule.

They favored a constitutional monarchy, popular sovereignty, and parliamentary rule.

Some Irish nationalists who favor Irish rule for Northern Ireland dispute AOL's account.

Those associated with this conspiracy favored absolute rule rather than republican government and were against the Spanish Constitution of 1812.

In light of those efforts, as well as a purported tendency among Mauritanians to favor strong rule, analysts judged that he was the front-runner.

He has political beliefs favoring rule by the people rather than the elite.

During this period, the colonial government favored indirect rule, which allowed the British to govern through indigenous leaders.

Even a very recent poll, he said, showed that more than half of the respondents favored continued British rule or independence, against 42 percent wanting Hong Kong returned to China.

The elite's clannishness, coupled with a national culture that favors centralized rule, created an atmosphere in which armed rebellion flourished.

Islamists, who favor political rule based on Islamic principles, see liberal Western societies, particularly the United States, as godless and barbarous.