Which Past Political Figure...

QUESTION:

Nelson Mandela... I ll always admire him for rising above his own past.. He could have so easily retaliated against the whites and be vindictive.. but instead he] looked at the larger picture and thought of his own country's progress.. He tried to bridge the gap between the different races and classes..

In no particular order:

1. Peter The Great: For making Russia an epic empire and superpower during his reign, and for triggering a cultural awakening that encouraged a scientific, modern outlook instead of a traditionalist approach to politics and society.

2. Charlemagne: For bringing about a Renaissance in France long before the age of awakening itself, even though he was considered to be the Church's puppet. He held scholarship and education in high esteem and introduced myriad reforms when it came to French economy, commerce, and politics.

3. Bismarck: Credited with unifying Germany in the 19th century like nobody before him ever could, despite the fact that he'd launched campaigns against the Socialists and the Catholics. He established the first modern welfare state. I don't think it can get better than that.

4. Abraham Lincoln: Goes without saying. A revolutionary, progressive, and ballsy thinker and statesman, though 'secret' reports have been around as to his true intentions during the Civil War. His best move, though, was introducing interest and debt-free Greenbacks. Which brings me to the next peron.

5. JFK: Had a shady private life, but was a President who truly had the best interests of the electorate at heart. Tried to kick start numerous initiatives when it came to housing and social welfare, and he was a man who wasn't afraid of bucking the system. Read Executive Order 11110.