In Professor Merrill's view, long-term stability itself acts as a kind of force-multiplier, magnifying not only divisions on the court but the strength of the dominant bloc.

But if General Aoun does well, he might be able to assemble a dominant parliamentary bloc.

Populism starts at the point where popular democratic elements are presented as an antagonistic option against the ideology of the dominant bloc.

That coalition, including Mr. Sadr's allies, is the dominant bloc in the 275-member Parliament.

As an elected official, President Bush has long sought a more diverse Republican Party, one that would lure more blacks and Hispanics to a dominant conservative bloc.

Politics in this small but remarkably diverse Caribbean nation has always been based on race, with blacks the dominant bloc.

"They're not a dominant bloc."

Judge Thomas has criticized a number of recent Supreme Court rulings and seems likely to ally himself with the dominant conservative bloc.

As expected, Justice Thomas has joined the Court's dominant conservative bloc.

The Pan-Blue and Pan-Green coalitions are presently the dominant political blocs in the Republic of China.