Forbes annually publishes a ranking of the most influential people in the world. When compiling the list, analysts take into account only 4 criteria: the number of people under control, the financial resources available to them, the areas of public life that can be affected, and the activity with which the participant uses his power.
There are 71 names in the Forbes ranking. Among the influential Russians it was Vladimir Putin (3rd place), Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (61st place), billionaire businessman Alisher Usmanov (67th place) and Gazprom head A.B. Miller (70th place).
Today we bring to your attention the first ten of the Forbes rating, which includes the most influential people in the world 2012.
10. David Cameron (46 years old, Prime Minister of Great Britain)
One of the most influential British premieres in the last few decades. In last year’s ranking, Cameron also closed the top ten, and his position is unlikely to improve - the country has begun an economic downturn, which does not contribute to the strengthening of influence.
9. Xi Jinping (59 years old, Secretary General of the Communist Party of China)
Since March 2013, the new Secretary General will lead one of the most powerful nations in the world. Xi Jinping will be at the helm over the next 10 years. In last year’s ranking of the most influential people in the world in the top ten was attended by his predecessor Hu Jintao.
8. Mario Draghi (65 years old, President of the European Central Bank)
While the unity of the eurozone has been called into question, and the single currency is in crisis after crisis, the role of the head of the Central Bank is growing more than ever.
7. Abdullah ibn Abdel Aziz al Saud (88 years old, King of Saudi Arabia)
A regular in the ranking of the most influential people in the world for 16 years rules the country in whose territory 20% of the world's oil reserves are located. Despite the extensive stroke suffered in August 2012, the monarch still has not lost enormous influence.
6. Ben Bernanke (58 years old, head of the US Federal Reserve)
It seems that under the strict guidance of Bernanke, the US economy is taking timid steps up. The course of "treatment" prescribed by the US Federal Reserve is as follows: the purchase of mortgage-backed securities, as well as treasury bonds worth $ 85 billion.
5. Pope Benedict XVI (85 years old, head of the Catholic Church)
Under the spiritual authority of the Holy Pope - almost 1.2 billion Catholics around the world. For millions of people, the Pope’s authority in matters of euthanasia, contraception, same-sex marriage and other difficult things is indisputable.
4. Bill Gates (57 years old, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation)
Gates is widely known for his charitable contributions, the total amount of which exceeds $ 28 billion. Gates takes the 2nd place among the richest people in the world.
3. Vladimir Putin (60 years old, President of the Russian Federation)
In last year’s ranking, Putin was second. Perhaps the fall on one line is due to the fact that the world community criticizes the Russian authorities for the conviction of the punk band Pussy Riot.
2. Angela Merkel (58 years old, Federal Chancellor of Germany)
The only woman in the top ten rating "The most influential people in the world 2012“Bears the proud title of“ iron lady ”of our day. The German economy is the pillar of the eurozone and the fate of the single currency depends on it in many ways. It is Merkel who is more often than other European rulers called the real leader of the European Union.
1. Barack Obama (51 years old, President of the United States of America)
A confident victory in the presidential election added points to the American leader. However, during the term of his new presidency, he will have to solve problems on the financial and political fronts. Meanwhile, the States, as before, remain the most influential economic, scientific, military and innovative power.
