14 DAY TRIAL // Power is such a difficult thing to quantify, but since 2009, Forbes has been putting in a lot of hard work to do just that. A new list of world’s most powerful people has been released, including 72 of the most influential people who pretty much rule the world.
Power, you either have it or you don’t. So how do you decide who has it?
That’s the question that Forbes had to answer when it came up with the first list, so they developed an algorithm that takes into account several factors like financial resources, impact (i.e. the number of people their work affects in one way or another), scope and use of power, charity work, etc.
Another guiding principle for the list is that it must have 1 representative for 100 million people. So, in 2014, we get 72 such people, with the top 5 detailed below.
Vladimir Putin
To quote the publication, “power doesn’t have to be pretty.” The Russian President tops the list of Most Powerful People for the second time in a row, which might seem a bit ironic considering that he’s also regarded as one of the most evil politicians of our times.
He’s at the middle of several controversies and is held responsible for the death of many and for the tense situation in Ukraine. His anti-gay and social policies have prompted outrage around the world, just like his campaigns to paint himself as a modern hero have. Power doesn’t have to be pretty – and it certainly isn’t in his case.
Barack Obama
The US President is still in the top 5 most powerful people in the world, despite a decrease in popularity in the past couple of years. He was at the top for several years except 2010 and 2013, and the fact that he’s yet to slip any lower is testament to his influence.
Obama is the 44th President of the United States, elected for the first time in 2008. A Democrat, he became the first African-American President in the country in what was considered an unprecedented victory for equality.
Xi Jinping
The third spot on Forbes’ list goes to another politician: the so-called “paramount leader” of China. Xi Jinping serves as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, which means he holds top offices in the country’s political, state, and military offices.
Xi Jinping’s position in top 3 is due to the fact that he is the leader of the largest nation on earth, but his work is also outstanding for measures taken to limit corruption, strengthen the legal system, and further what he likes to refer to as the “Chinese Dream.”
Pope Francis
Elected in 2013, Pope Francis is proving to be one of the most relatable Popes ever. In this day and age, relatability in public figures translates into popularity, so saying that Pope Francis is relatable is the same as saying that he’s also the most popular, beloved Catholic leader of all times.
Among some of the aspects that have earned him this much love is his openness towards minorities and his constant urging to spread love, not prejudices. Pope Francis even pled with the Italian Mafia to come to church more often, in the hope that this would lower the criminality rate, but he also spoke in support of other religions and even the gays. More recently, he admitted that alien life might exist.
Angela Merkel
At number 5 on the list is a newcomer to the top 10: Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel, aka the world’s most valuable leader, according to many voices. 2014 marks the year when women are moving up on Forbes Power list: this edition includes 9 women, who make up 12% of the world’s most powerful.
According to analysts, Merkel’s most impressive accomplishments are to be found in her ability to take Germany out of the economic crisis, her stance regarding the issue of global warming, social policy, foreign policy, and refashioning capitalism.
The remainder of the top 10 is comprised as follows: American economist Janet Yellen comes in at number 6, Microsoft Chief Executive and Chairman Bill Gates is at number 7, Italian Banker and current President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi is at 8, while the final 2 positions in top 10 are occupied by Google co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page.
