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 at their disposal, the areas of public life that can be influenced, and the activity with which the participant uses his power.
There are 71 names in the Forbes ranking. Among 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 top ten of the Forbes rating, which includes most influential people in the world 2012.
10.David Cameron (46 years old, British Prime Minister)
One of the least influential British prime ministers in decades. In last year's rating, Cameron also rounded out the top ten, and his position is unlikely to improve - the country has begun an economic downturn, which does not contribute to an increase in influence.
9.Xi Jinping (59 years old, secretary general of the Chinese Communist Party)
Since March 2013, the new secretary general will lead one of the most powerful powers in the world. Xi Jinping will be at the helm for the next 10 years. In last year's ranking of the most influential people in the world, his predecessor Hu Jintao was in the top ten.
8.Mario Draghi (65, President of the European Central Bank)
At a time when the unity of the eurozone was in question, and the single currency is going through crisis after crisis, the role of the head of the Central Bank is growing as never before.
7.Abdallah ibn Abdel Aziz al Saud (88 years old, king of Saudi Arabia)
The frequenter of the rating of the most influential people in the world has been running a country for 16 years with 20% of the world's oil reserves. Despite suffering a massive stroke in August 2012, the monarch has not yet lost tremendous influence.
6. Ben Bernanke (58 years old, head of the US Federal Reserve)
It seems that under Bernanke's careful leadership, the US economy is making timid steps upward. The course of "treatment" prescribed by the US Federal Reserve is as follows: the purchase of mortgage-backed securities, as well as treasury bonds in the amount of $ 85 billion.
5. Pope Benedict XVI (85 years old, head of the Catholic Church)
Under the spiritual authority of the Most Holy Pope, there are nearly 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 & Melinda Gates Foundation)
Gates is widely known for his charitable contributions, which total more than $ 28 billion. Gates is ranked 2nd 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 drop by one line is due to the fact that the world community criticizes the Russian authorities for the conviction against the punk group Pussy Riot.
2. Angela Merkel (58 years old, Federal Chancellor of Germany)
The only woman in the top ten of the rating "The most influential people in the world 2012", Bears the proud title of the" iron lady "of our days. The German economy is the backbone of the eurozone and the fate of the single currency largely depends on it. It is Merkel who is more often called the real leader of the European Union than other European rulers.
1. Barack Obama (51, President of the United States of America)
A confident victory in the presidential election added points to the American leader. However, during his new presidency, he will have to solve problems on the financial and political fronts. Meanwhile, the United States remains the most influential economic, scientific, military and innovative power.