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Democracy and dictatorship while being opposite sides of the power continuum have given rise to a rare breed of leaders and politicians; they are dynamic, go getters who stop at nothing. Gone are the days when politicians were known for their empty promises; these are individuals who changed ideologies and the face of politics in their native countries.
These modern day public leaders brought forth reforms that their predecessors were wary of touching lest they might lose their people appeal; while some of them are still firmly in their governing chairs others now exist in the memory and hearts of their countrymen. Here is a look at ten extraordinary political figures of our time who dared to create history.
John F Kennedy
The President who asked his countrymen to ask not what their country can do for them but what they can do for their country, John Kennedy was a charismatic leader. Elected as the 35th President of the United States, Kennedy; who was known by his initials JFK, chose a markedly different and more transparent approach of conducting White House affairs as opposed to his predecessors. His presidency saw the Cuban missile crisis, the building of the Berlin Wall, the Cold war and the beginning of the Vietnam War.
Barrack Obama
The current President of the United States, Barrack Obama is the first African American to be elected to the position. Obama stepped into the role at an extremely volatile economic time with unemployment and recession running out of control. The winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, President Obama had a successful stint as a lawyer and eventually an author before he took the job of the most powerful man on the planet. Although his investiture was viewed by many as a new dawn for the United States, he has not been very successful in injecting the promised jobs into the economy. However, he has shown a notable shift in America's 'war on terror' agenda with his decision to pull US troops out of Iraq.
Indira Gandhi
The deceased Indian leader was the first woman Prime Minister of the country; known for her autocratic ruling style; many Indians still believe that no other politician has been able to demonstrate the political acumen and zeal that Mrs. Gandhi was known for. Born into a popular political family; she took over the reigns of the country from her father Jawaharlal Nehru who was also the Prime Minister of India. During her tenure Mrs. Gandhi dealt with an Indo- Pak war, the implementation of a state of emergency in the country, the currency crisis and above all the first terrorist threat to secular India. She was the world's longest serving Prime Minister.
Mao Zedong
The father of the communist regime in China, his military strategies and his contributions to Marxism- Leninism are now studied as Maoism. He was the Chieftain of the People's Republic of China from its inception to his demise in 1976. Most Chinese attribute the country's economic stability, progress and technological advancement to Mao Zedong. However, outside China, he remains a controversial figure who was responsible for aggressive policies against those who resisted communism.
Vladimir Putin
The current Prime Minister of Russia has already enjoyed two successful terms as the President of the country. A former KGB operative, Putin got his first taste of politics when he was appointed as an internal affairs adviser to Mayor Sobchak. He is credited with the systematic and impressive economic growth of Russia, the political stability in the country and lowering income tax to a flat 13%, which together led to a significant increase in the GDP of the nation.
Fidel Castro
Castro has held on to the position of the President on Cuba for as long as most can remember. While his policies have only served to stunt the development of the tiny nation, he is widely regarded as a hero in his native country. Castro came to power as a result of the Cuban revolution that ousted the pro-American Batista dictatorship. The conversion of the country to a one party socialist regime can be attributed to Castro who is well known for his anti-American stance. His policies were largely to be blamed for the alienation of the supporters of his movement who eventually took refuge in the United States and many of whom participated in the Bay of Pigs Invasion. He was also responsible for the Cuban Missile crisis which almost led to a war between the United States and the former USSR.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The controversial Iranian leader is probably most famous for his casual dressing style and his anti-American speeches than any real work that he has done for his country. A religious hardliner often considered to be a puppet in the hands of the Muslim Fundamentalist, Ahmadinejad is no stranger to controversy within his country either. He is known for his blatant disregard for human rights and his economic lapses which have caused the man on the streets of Tehran to pay dearly for the most basic of commodities. He is also well known for thumbing his nose at the United States and the UN with his obstinate attitude towards building a nuclear power facility in the country, which most world leaders believe is a front for the manufacture of nuclear weapons of mass destruction.
Tony Blair
Tony Blair was the Prime Minster of the United Kingdom for ten years and is known for his international and security policies. He is most notably recognized for his involvement in the US 'war on terror' and the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland. Blair was the longest serving Prime Minister who led the Labor Party to three consecutive wins.
These modern day public leaders brought forth reforms that their predecessors were wary of touching lest they might lose their people appeal; while some of them are still firmly in their governing chairs others now exist in the memory and hearts of their countrymen. Here is a look at ten extraordinary political figures of our time who dared to create history.
John F Kennedy
The President who asked his countrymen to ask not what their country can do for them but what they can do for their country, John Kennedy was a charismatic leader. Elected as the 35th President of the United States, Kennedy; who was known by his initials JFK, chose a markedly different and more transparent approach of conducting White House affairs as opposed to his predecessors. His presidency saw the Cuban missile crisis, the building of the Berlin Wall, the Cold war and the beginning of the Vietnam War.
Barrack Obama
The current President of the United States, Barrack Obama is the first African American to be elected to the position. Obama stepped into the role at an extremely volatile economic time with unemployment and recession running out of control. The winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, President Obama had a successful stint as a lawyer and eventually an author before he took the job of the most powerful man on the planet. Although his investiture was viewed by many as a new dawn for the United States, he has not been very successful in injecting the promised jobs into the economy. However, he has shown a notable shift in America's 'war on terror' agenda with his decision to pull US troops out of Iraq.
Indira Gandhi
The deceased Indian leader was the first woman Prime Minister of the country; known for her autocratic ruling style; many Indians still believe that no other politician has been able to demonstrate the political acumen and zeal that Mrs. Gandhi was known for. Born into a popular political family; she took over the reigns of the country from her father Jawaharlal Nehru who was also the Prime Minister of India. During her tenure Mrs. Gandhi dealt with an Indo- Pak war, the implementation of a state of emergency in the country, the currency crisis and above all the first terrorist threat to secular India. She was the world's longest serving Prime Minister.
Mao Zedong
The father of the communist regime in China, his military strategies and his contributions to Marxism- Leninism are now studied as Maoism. He was the Chieftain of the People's Republic of China from its inception to his demise in 1976. Most Chinese attribute the country's economic stability, progress and technological advancement to Mao Zedong. However, outside China, he remains a controversial figure who was responsible for aggressive policies against those who resisted communism.
Vladimir Putin
The current Prime Minister of Russia has already enjoyed two successful terms as the President of the country. A former KGB operative, Putin got his first taste of politics when he was appointed as an internal affairs adviser to Mayor Sobchak. He is credited with the systematic and impressive economic growth of Russia, the political stability in the country and lowering income tax to a flat 13%, which together led to a significant increase in the GDP of the nation.
Fidel Castro
Castro has held on to the position of the President on Cuba for as long as most can remember. While his policies have only served to stunt the development of the tiny nation, he is widely regarded as a hero in his native country. Castro came to power as a result of the Cuban revolution that ousted the pro-American Batista dictatorship. The conversion of the country to a one party socialist regime can be attributed to Castro who is well known for his anti-American stance. His policies were largely to be blamed for the alienation of the supporters of his movement who eventually took refuge in the United States and many of whom participated in the Bay of Pigs Invasion. He was also responsible for the Cuban Missile crisis which almost led to a war between the United States and the former USSR.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The controversial Iranian leader is probably most famous for his casual dressing style and his anti-American speeches than any real work that he has done for his country. A religious hardliner often considered to be a puppet in the hands of the Muslim Fundamentalist, Ahmadinejad is no stranger to controversy within his country either. He is known for his blatant disregard for human rights and his economic lapses which have caused the man on the streets of Tehran to pay dearly for the most basic of commodities. He is also well known for thumbing his nose at the United States and the UN with his obstinate attitude towards building a nuclear power facility in the country, which most world leaders believe is a front for the manufacture of nuclear weapons of mass destruction.
Tony Blair
Tony Blair was the Prime Minster of the United Kingdom for ten years and is known for his international and security policies. He is most notably recognized for his involvement in the US 'war on terror' and the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland. Blair was the longest serving Prime Minister who led the Labor Party to three consecutive wins.
Mohammed Ali Jinnah
A prominent member of the Indian Independence Movement, Jinnah was disgruntled by the fact that the Nehru was made the first Prime Minister of the Republic of India as opposed to him. This served as impetus enough for him to abandon his secular ways and seek the formation of Pakistan, a separate Muslim state. The partition led to massive Hindu-Muslim riots in the country in which thousands of men, women and children were brutally massacred. However, Jinnah did not live to enjoy the fruits of his labor as he died a mere one year after the independence of Pakistan from the British Empire.
Bill Clinton
While the Monica Lewinsky episode did tarnish his image, Clinton is still considered by many to be a prolific leader who contributed immensely to the economic growth of the United States. He was also one of the first Presidents to openly flex the military muscle of the United States in the face of Saddam Hussein's growing dictatorship regime.While each one of these political leaders may have a different set of ideologies and motives, they did manage to capture the attention of the world at large. Their contributions; whether negative or positive, to the world as we know it today will be remembered for decades to come.
A prominent member of the Indian Independence Movement, Jinnah was disgruntled by the fact that the Nehru was made the first Prime Minister of the Republic of India as opposed to him. This served as impetus enough for him to abandon his secular ways and seek the formation of Pakistan, a separate Muslim state. The partition led to massive Hindu-Muslim riots in the country in which thousands of men, women and children were brutally massacred. However, Jinnah did not live to enjoy the fruits of his labor as he died a mere one year after the independence of Pakistan from the British Empire.
Bill Clinton
While the Monica Lewinsky episode did tarnish his image, Clinton is still considered by many to be a prolific leader who contributed immensely to the economic growth of the United States. He was also one of the first Presidents to openly flex the military muscle of the United States in the face of Saddam Hussein's growing dictatorship regime.While each one of these political leaders may have a different set of ideologies and motives, they did manage to capture the attention of the world at large. Their contributions; whether negative or positive, to the world as we know it today will be remembered for decades to come.
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