21.   For centuries, Mexico has oscillated between long periods of authoritarian rule and deadly bouts of social strife.

22.   Gen. Augusto Pinochet left power more than a decade ago, but rights organizations argue that many of the legal foundations of authoritarian rule remain intact.

23.   Free speech advocates said it showed that Putin, a former KGB spy, was intent on stifling the press and exerting authoritarian rule.

24.   He was no democrat, and he set the stage for three decades of authoritarian rule under Suharto.

25.   His authoritarian rule has prevented the emergence of future leaders and the development of strong civic and political institutions.

26.   In countries such as Spain, Italy and France, periods of democracy alternated with periods of authoritarian rule.

27.   In many cases where such a referendum has taken place, under waning but still persistent authoritarian rule, the NOs have overcome highly adverse circumstances.

28.   In turn, those groups have moved swiftly to accuse the Jordanian monarch of trampling democracy in a quest to restore authoritarian rule.

29.   Indonesia began life as an independent nation with a democratic system, but saw it give way to the authoritarian rule of Suharto and his generals.