Yet Mr Brown is an uncompelling election-campaigner and has a leadership style that is divisive and confrontational, to say the least.
On Tuesday, state news agency Xinhua spelled it out: Western democracy was divisive and confrontational, and beset with crises and chaos.
Mr. Zoellick's aides say that, like Mr. Wolfowitz, he believes corruption is a high priority but that he intends to pursue the issue in a less divisive or confrontational way than had been the case in the past.
I feel like it's a time of great hope, hope in our rising against an administration that has forgotten what it means to be inclusive and aspirational but more divisive and confrontational.
But the French understand full well that the discussion is essentially about Muslims, so any law is certain to be perceived by the Muslims precisely as divisive, discriminatory and confrontational.
He is divisive, certainly, and confrontational - but who he really is, is open to debate.
Usually, public debate takes place on raucous television chat shows, which critics accuse of framing issues in a confrontational and divisive manner.
Erdogan's confrontational style, his divisive rhetoric and the extreme force used by the police on victims including young children, with one pregnant woman losing her baby on Saturday evening, have tarnished his credentials internationally as a reformist Muslim leader.
Cupich has a record of taking a less confrontational approach on divisive social issues, and works to build ties with those who disagree with church teaching.
American playwright, screenwriter, and gay rights activist whose confrontational style of advocacy, while divisive, was credited by many with catalyzing the response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the United States.
