 Conversely, Herbert Bix describes Meiji as a powerful autocrat whom the Genrō struggled to restrain while simultaneously accommodating his anti-democratic prejudices.R.Starr characterizes Meiji as a highly individualistic and forthright person who was no puppet to any group in his government, and although progressive, not 'liberal' or 'democratic'.Yet another group of historians contend he was never a full dictator, but remain divided on whether his personal power was "far closer to the absolutist end" or whether he played a mediator role in the Genrō‘s collective leadership.