Introduction: The Top Ten Dictators of All-Time

Introduction: The Top Ten Dictators of All-Time

Scott Manning
July 17, 2006 | Comments (8)

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There are several "lists" out there that try to rank dictators, conquerors, and rulers. The problem I've found is that the lists are nothing more than sensationalism or they're just plain inaccurate.

There are many books written with the theme of listing the most evil people. The Most Evil Dictators in History and The Evil 100 are a couple of examples. The books are all the same. You can expect them to include Hitler, Stalin, and Genghis Khan. Each evil person has a three-page bio about their evilness.

If there is a ranking, there is no measurable method to it (For example, so-and-so killed the most people, so he's clearly the most evil). The Evil 100 includes people like Hitler and Stalin at the top of the list, yet Osama bin Laden is ranked number eight. While I'll be the first to admit that Osama is an evil son-of-a-bitch, I wouldn't put him in the top ten when compared to everyone else throughout history.

In terms of inaccuracy, there is a top-ten list called 10 Men Who Conquered the Most Square Miles floating around on the Internet. The source is a bathroom reader book that was originally published in the 1970's. While the list is mostly accurate in terms of how many square miles were conquered by the ten men discussed, they are not the ten who conquered the most. The list should be called "A comparison between a bunch of guys who conquered land".

The bigger issue with the conqueror's list is that it has been googled to death and reposted on countless websites creating a chain of misinformation that started in the 1970's.

A top ten list for the rest of us
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What's been missing is a top ten list that focuses on a type of person (In this case, dictators) that has some sort of realistic ranking system. Instead of trying to rank something abstract like evil, I've been working on a system that awards points based on tangible data that can be calculated to provide each dictator with a score.

Measurable information includes:

Total number of people killed
Total population controlled
Percentage of the world population controlled
Years in power
Years in power over a high population
Length of empire after reign
Total square miles controlled
Total square miles conquered

To spice the list up, bonus points are awarded for dictator-like acts such as:

taking power through force/manipulation
not losing power before death
driving a group of people to cannibalism
destroying books

There is also a set of qualifying criteria to weed out the wannabe dictators. To make the Top Ten Dictators of All-Time, a ruler:

Must have had absolute control over at least one country
Must have been responsible for the death of at least 500,000 people
Must be dead

Being dead is crucial. People like Napoleon and Vlad III Dracula have shown us that just because someone has been locked-up that they are not down for the count.

The Top Ten Dictators of All-Time
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I have spent a considerable amount of time researching dictators and have come up with an official top ten. Finding estimates on some of these guys is near impossible. I believe this is the reason that no one has attempted this feat in the past.

The list is not about being evil; it's about being a dictator. Dictators maintain absolute control over a country, and in some cases, over multiple countries. Some empires lasted years after a dictator died while others faded away almost immediately. All of this is taken into account for the final score.

The next article will cover the scoring system I've put together to rank the dictators. After that, each dictator in the list will be revealed one-by-one in a countdown fashion starting with number ten.

All numbers have been researched and are referenced with a reliable source. When I say "reliable source", 9 times out of 10, this doesn't include the Internet.

Most people seem to have a couple of names they expect to see on the list. To see who does (or doesn't) make the list will shock some people, and the name at the top of the list will surprise even more.

Sensationalism? Not when I have the numbers to back it up.

Discuss Dictators in our forums
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Comments (8):

1) Posted by: PhilB
July 17, 2006 6:48 PM

O.K.; let's get going on this. Very interesting. I like your approach. Very strange hobby though ;)

2) Posted by: Steve
July 18, 2006 3:37 PM

knew you had it in you

3) Posted by: bob
July 19, 2006 5:24 AM

Interesting idea Scott,and it's sure to create some controversy. Go for it.
Regards Bob.

4) Posted by: Sacha
August 1, 2006 2:11 PM

You can add Fidel Castro in your research, becuase the Dictator is DEAD!!!! I will be happy to provide you with all the details of his tyranny.

5) Posted by: Scott
August 1, 2006 2:19 PM

Sacha, looks like he should be added to the list. I sent you a private email.

6) Posted by: stephanie
August 1, 2006 5:27 PM

this list sounds awesome, is there a way I can get it sent to my email when it's completed? sweetiesteph23@yahoo.com

7) Posted by: joe
August 16, 2006 7:14 AM

Being completely scientific is perhaps good criteria for this Top 10 List. Any assumption that "dictators" are "bad" should however be disregarded and not good criteria. However, the 1st. idea that came to mind was in the spiritual sphere. And, one doesn't have to "dictate" by "hook & claw. The "best" and most powerful dictators do not have to lift a hand; their minions do much (or all) of the killing.

My 1,2,3 choices are Jesus Christ (God), Mohammed, and Budda. These "folks" are/were so powerful that their power transcends all
geographical & political boundaries. They are all "physically" dead their power is unargueable--to this day.

The figures for their realms/followere are in any Almanac. I will give some generalizations so you may see my direction. All worlds population killed in the Great Flood, save Noah, Crusades, and threatened hell. The Mohammed rule is also obviously seen today in the Middle East. Now, Budda "had" the fewest killed.

All these dictators did not lose power before death, these "Big 3" never have--for a very long time--not lost power!

To be brief, for your considerations, All 3 meet all the criteria but cannibalism. The other criterion are clear and obvious. The minions of these leaders/dictators, supplied the deaths--except for the Flood, Sodom and Gammorrah, etc. All of these are still "hot-beds." The Middle East conflicts today--it can be said--involve all three. All 3 religions/dictators are still fighting for supremacy.

Read the list of criteria/mandatories. They are 12 and my 3 "sail through" these considerations. But, Im not aware of any cannibalism that involve these dictators. But 11 out of 12 is awesome. Budda meets only 10. My only trouble is deciding which two, Jesus or Mohammed, have killed or influenced or manipulated the deaths of the most.

The Bible (commandments) is still enforced by the Pope and his legates. The Koran's influence has resulted in beheadings, death by IEDs, and so forth. I'll give Budda a break--his was of an "Awakening"/"Enlightenment," yet many deaths have occured to his having existed. And, all were living, all died, and their power has gone on for thousands of years. These "dicatorships" are all clear and obvious and intended.

I should have eliminated Budda as he is the "weakest" on the list. Of particular importance is the fact that their followers are all volunteers! The dictators Jesus/God and Mohammed will be impossible to beat. Any other considered dictators will pale in comparison to these extremely comprehensive dictators. And, these two had clear and obvious written dictates that transcend any other, to be presented, contenders--to be sure!

8) Posted by: Richard
September 4, 2006 9:30 AM

This is the only place I could find to post this, but may go to Amazon as well. The problem with a book of lists compliled by one author is someone usually gets left out that should be included. I am refering to the book "The Evil 100" by Martin Gilman Wolcott". The individual that did not make the list was responsible for having an airliner shot down,the bombing of numerous government buildings and the deaths of hundreds of policeman,government officials and reporters. Susan Smith killed her two children and she made the list.
Pablo Escobar had thousands killed and failed to make the list. This man held the country Columbia hostage for years and held as much power as a dictator. Great website.