Global Thought Leader: Eternal Values
The great questions of mankind are still mostly answered spiritually. But completely non-religious thinkers can make it to the top positions in the Global Thought Leader Ranking – if they are a little messianic.
Global Thought Leaders 2018: English Wikipediasphere
Urbi et Orbi: As in previous years, the Pope is placed first in the Global Thought Leader ranking. The Catholic Church, like Francis himself, is involved in numerous international debates – and usually acts as a heavyweight. The Dalai Lama and chief atheist Richard Dawkins are other religious thinkers in the top group – and also the linguist Noam Chomsky, someone who has almost a messianic attraction for a large part of the contemporary left spectrum. Stephen Hawking and Al Gore, also placed in the top 10, fall short of messianism, but at least have a very strong mission.
When looking for a Messiah, a woman is rarely to be seen. Joanne K. Rowling is the only one to make it into the top group of the 10 most influential people in the world. Arundhati Roy, Elizabeth Blackburn, Malala Yousafzai and Jane Goodall follow her.
