Most powerful people in the world (2008)

Tibetan spiritual head, the Dalai Lama, occupies the 46th spot in the list.According to Newsweek, for decades the Dalai Lama has advocated a 'middle way': He has said he wants autonomy, not independence, for his people; he would be happy for Tibet to remain part of China in exchange for protection of Tibetan education, culture and religion.'The more he speaks, the more he travels, the more word of his ill health leaks out, the more he matters,' it says, adding that after eight unproductive rounds of talks with Beijing, members of the exile community are fed up -- some are advocating violent resistance and a fight for independence.Is this the end of the road for the 'middle-way'? Only time can tell.