Who is actually the most powerful person in the world?

[exploited]

In terms of being able to influence the largest amount of people, I'd say POTUS. The president could give a speech about debt forgiveness and crash every stock market in the world, if he so chose. And that doesn't even touch on the amount of military power under his direct control, which he can deploy anywhere in the world at any time, for whatever reason, and it is perfectly legal to do so.

In terms of realistically getting things done without being held accountable, I'm thinking Putin. That guy can literally do anything he wants. If he wanted to eat babies, he could do it, and nobody would say a dammed thing. And even though Russia is somewhat diminished in terms of military might, there is still only one country in the world that could stop them if they decided to take over Europe.

China is getting there, but their position is too shaky for them to start to force hands. And Russia can still kick their asses, and the US would dom them so bad it's laughable.

[Stratego]

[Professor]

I don't think that Putin would be in there. He controls Russia, but Russia's sphere of influence is relatively limited these days. The most powerful person in China might be a contender, but is there just one person? After all, whoever that person is, even if they "just" control China, that's a lot of people. President of the US is certainly up there. It's hard to think of another person who directly and indirectly impacts other people's lives.

However, is that power? Or simply projection? If we measure "power" as the ability to get what one wants, then my guess is that unnamed and annonymous lobbyists (the ones whose fathers set up the firm, but they continued and built upon it) are the most powerful. You know, the ones who have the President's cell phone number, can make a call about legislation, and get it passed whatever roadblock has presented itself? The ones that always seem to win, because they don't try the impossible?

[eynon81]

Has someone said Warren Buffet yet? It's either him or Putin.

The leader of China can't do shit and the leader of the US claims he can't do shit.

[Professor]

Not sure Warren exercises it, though.

Also, is it "most power at his disposal", or "most power exercised"? The POTUS clearly has the most at his disposal. As discussed in another thread, he can declare war for 90 days and no one can do crap. But, he doesn't exercise it. Putin sure exercises his power more.

[eynon81]

[Professor]

[NAB]

Here's the real most powerful person.

[eynon81]

[eynon81]