It has been shaped in large part by the tumult of events beyond the Kremlin's control, including economic desperation at home and explosive popular aspirations in Eastern Europe.

If a post-apartheid economy stopped generating wealth, he said, inability to meet popular aspirations could tempt even a democratic government to resort to autocratic measures.

The Salvadoran right stifled popular aspirations through its adamant opposition to reform and its support for the elite-dominated economic system.

He embodied all of its most popular aspirations with a genuine spirit of innovation and adventure.

"An excellent opportunity to make a few points; or rather, to implement our sincere and heartfelt sense of solidarity with the forces of popular aspiration."

Certainly there were affinities between popular aspirations favouring a growth in Germany's national prestige and power, and Hitler's racial-imperialist aims.

What is happening in Syria is a popular aspiration for democracy and the rule of law - it is not some foreign plot.

Some promote narrow sectarian interests even as they purport to advance popular aspirations.

American policies toward the Palestinians will eventually backfire, as in other parts of the region where the United States stood against popular aspirations and supported authoritarian regimes.

"The challenge will be between accommodating popular aspirations and meeting the demands of the Bush administration," said Scott Snyder, Korea representative of the Asia Foundation.