The role of honest broker in negotiations between loquacious opponents, however, was not to the ambassador's liking.
Both sought to expose the reality, as they saw it, of their opponent's politics.
Rationalist explanations of civil conflict have emphasized the co-ordination problems faced by would-be opponents of stable governance.
A productive next step also might identify other critical behaviours that are influenced by people's status as supporters or opponents of those in power.
His diplomatic approach throws the problems back to the opponents' side.
According to context the term superstition might designate controversial beliefs, the practice of confessional opponents or the beliefs of the ignorant masses.
Generally, the opponents were to be found in the larger urban areas, but by no means all urban politicos were opponents.
Advocates attacked opponents where it hurt most, questioning and challenging their key argument and standing it on its head.
