As a general rule of thumb, the person sitting in the big chair is going to claim the credit for good things that happen while they're sitting it it. Thus, we have Reagan and Bush claiming credit for the collapse of communism, and Clinton claiming credit for the prosperity of the 1990s- even when the specific cause-and-effect that brought these things about are rather murky. It's one thing to give someone credit for something that went on within their country while they were in office; it's another thing altogether to give them credit for something that went on elsewhere in the world[1]. If you're going to credit one person for the collapse of communism, then Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev is the obvious candidate. 1. with the obvious exception of a deliberate military or political intervention elsewhere

I'd only call those arguements successful in the sense that they didn't degenerate into BoP-violating flamewars. Actually, a couple did.

If you're going to credit one person for the collapse of communism, then Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev is the obvious candidate. I blame Stresemannn. The rest was inevitable. Chris

If you're going to credit one person for the collapse of communism, then Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev is the obvious candidate. I blame Stresemannn. The rest was inevitable. read 'Ebert' above. Soz. Chris 'idoit' Williams

I'd only call those arguements successful in the sense that they didn't degenerate into BoP-violating flamewars. Actually, a couple did. A good reason not to revisit the issue, eh?

I want to thank all those people who have responded with some very original picks and some pretty obvious choices as well. Here are my 10 most influential people from 1900-now 1) Hitler This man was and still is a symbol of extreme nationalism and the root cause of WWII (the single most influential event of 1900 to now).(By products: every major post-WWI event from the Marshall Plan to the Cold War). 2) Gorbachev I chose Mikhail instead of Stalin because its harder to teard down the Iron Curtain than it was to create it.  Besides I believe Stalin or not, the Cold War was a pro0duct of the outcome of events from WWII and not be Moscow or Washington alone.  Gorbachev instigated reforms that were shocking and unheard of in a _style_ of government that ruled by systemic terror.  Gorbachev in my opinion, is more important than any other Soviet leader.  You may diagree with me but, Gorbachev's reforms have unleashed some amazing political alliances and some disturbing by products (Chechneya, Soviet scientists selling their secrets..etc) 3) JFK Apart from the events of the Cuban Missle Crisis, his role on the events of Vietnam, the numerous proxy wars against the Soviets in the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa, Kennedy shaped a generation of civil servants and challenged his nation to mission to the moon (which they accomplished).  JFK is one of the most influential poeple because he touched the lives of many that were inspired by his vision (by products: Civil Rights movement, a sharp buildup of American power in the UN and in NATO). 4) Norman Bethune Surprise surprise but I don't pick Mao I pick Bethune instead.  Why? Because while Mao was the most influential person in China ( and still is to date), Bethune serviced the Chinese Communists with medicine, advice and admiration.  A spill over of this is that it was the by product of Bethune's influence which helped open China to the West (first though Canada and then through NIxon's Ping Pong diplomacy). Norman Bethune was an odd character which helped change the Chinese perception of Westerners (before Bethune Westerners were all grouped as Imperialists...Bethune challenged this identity). 5) Ronald Reagan The American president was the pioneer of a vision of a Space Defense system that would shield North America from Nuclear ballistic attack. SDI was ahead of its time just like Reagan's policies which challenged Soviet leadership in every proxy war and event on the Earth.  Reagan brought the Soviets to an internal realization that they could no longer sustain the military expenditures against the Amnericans. Reagan's bumbling mistakes in the Middle East (dual diplomacy and poor foreign policy application) helped create some serious negative by products we still have today. However, Reagan's economic polcies, his European and Asian foreign polcicies were all a tremendous success and helped challenge and change the world in the positive. (By products SDI, dual diplomacy, the end of the Soviet Union and a stronger reliance on the Stock Market). 6) James Watson and Francis Crick (Sorry folks this is a tie) They discovered DNA and fundementally challenged science to do more. (By products: gene therapy, DNA forensics, DNA _base_d cloning, genetic engineering, Human Genome map) 7) Elvis Pressley The King of Rock(though I am not a fan) has influenced generations of wannabe pop stars and music superstars.  Elvis was the right person and the right time and created some serious changes in the world of music and how a rock star uses the media for their advantage.  (By product: music's redirection towards Rock (Elvis _style_), Mega Rock superstardom, redfined concert performances and how musicians were perceived by the media....alos pushed the most disgusting Sandwich of all time). 8) Amitabh Bachan The Bollywood actor has made more movies than could be possible (he has tried to retire three times and failed due to demand).  Bachan's acting is _base_d on the school of over acting and would make most Westerners laugh in disbelief that he his so beloved in Bombay.  He has never mad a flop movie and has influenced every major Actor in Bollywood since he began his career. He was also involved in major military purchases for India under the Rajiv Gandhi governement.  This gives him clout for influencing the Indian-Pakistani situation. (By products: Bollywood actors who copy his acting skill, a sub-Continent of devouted fans that have led to serious influence on Western culture - proIndian tilt in West is caused by his influences on the Indian society on whole). 9) Bob Woodward / Matt Drudge (Tie) Woodward 's career as a journalist is impressive.  What's more impressive is Woodward's influence on the generations of journalists after him and those who have read his work and were inspired. Woodward is attributed to bringning down a President which, is no simple feat.  His insight and political connections make him a very powerful invetsigative journalist. (By products: truly inspiring journalism) Drudge was the first to pioneer tabloid _style_ reporting of the news and was the man responsible for exposing the ClintonLewinsky affair. Drudge's site traffic is impressive including the number of influential people who read his column or battle is conservative slant on the news. (By products: tabloid news _base_d internet sites) 10) Mother Teresa The recently deceased elderly nun gave her life to a service and a cause to the poor weak and silent majority of impoversished people of the Indo-Sub Continent. She redfined the nature of virtue and helped influence countless of good samaritan works and people sho sacrificed their lives for the poor.  She stands as a true philanthropist and a humanitarian. (By products: influenced charities around the world, gave hope and help to the poor and taught us all lessons of life.) You may not aggree with my choices (I could change some in an hour probably).  But the exercise was to be original and creative with your selections. Ali