Nelson Mandela.

Mandela didnt just change SA, he changed the world over. Before him, many so-called civilized nation approved, didnt mind, accepted, cooperated, ...... etc the barbaric policies of the SA white government against the African majority. He awakened those sleepy nations and made them realize the barbaric nature of the problem. He paid a lot for that. But he prevailed. Not only that, he was magnanimous in his victory.

Not only magnanimous, TA, but gracious. What astounded me most about Mandela is he resisted the temptation to overthrow the regime of the past by installing only loyalists in his cabinet. He worked closely with apartheid era leaders to create a UNIFIED SA, not just one where the pendulum had swung.

SA could have easily gone where Zimbabwe is today but for the leadership of Mandela. I would definitely say he makes the short list.

While MLK changed America, I would argue that in changing America, he changed the world. We spent the greater part of the twentieth century as one of the world's great superpowers, and MLK definitely made his mark.

Can't leave Gandhi off either. While the last two weren't statesmen in the traditional sense, they left an indelible and undeniable mark. And because they reached out so effectively to the masses, they may in some ways be greater than the bureaucrats.

Churchill, yes.

Ghandi Definitely

MLk - maybe not a statesman, but a man of great and good change.

I will go along with your others as good, but not great.

My controversial pick - Nixon.  Only Nixon could have gone to China. But maybe not great, just good like FDR and Mandela.

MMm. Nixon Doc? I think he was very savvy and his International relations were excellent. Sure there'll be some comments on your unusual choice.

Nixon Doc? I think he was very savvy and his International relations were excellent. Sure there'll be some comments on your unusual choice.

Like I said, controversial.

MLK was a great man for sure and he pointed to the way to achieve his goals.

However, MLK had the world behind him (except SA of course), he had the legal system behind him, he had the political system behind him and he had a LOT of resources .... very smart group of blacks and whites.

Mandela had none of that. on the contrary all those who were behind MLK were in one way or another against Mandela, or at best on the fence. Afraid to offend the so-called civilized nations.

Ghandi were also a great leader but he was not fighting HIS OWN system of apartheid. He was fighting a foreign occupier. that is a BIG difference. with all of 500+ million people behind you, your chances of prevailing is not small at all.

Mandela???? who was behind him? about 10+ million of uneducated, homeless and unorganized people who were deprived of all kinds of rights and sustenance? It is no less than a miracle.

As for Churchill .... pleeeeease dont get me started.