If I had to guess, I would be inclined to say that major capitalistic institutions have the most power. Such as Gates, and many Transnational companies have more money and power then a number of nations. And just look at the world, people can't act without considering economy, without worrying about the stock market and so forth.
Beyond that, nations such as Japan and Saudi Arabia are also powerful (thus their leaders are) as, for Japan, what it provides the world, and the Saud's control such major things as oil, and both are also major creditors, lending money to nations... one of which is the US, which has a large debt to such nations.
After that, probably Bush, who is influenced by the previous two, but who has control of the US, and is also Commander in Chief (most nations don't give ultimate control to their elected leader...) and has access to the most powerful military...
the illuminati
"From the days of Sparticus Weishaupt, Karl Marx, Trotsky, Rosa Luxemberg, and Emma Goldman, this world conspiracy has been steadily growing. This conspiracy played a definite recognizable role in the tragedy of the French revolution. It has been the mainspring of every subversive movement during the 19th century. And now at last this band of extraordinary personalities from the underworld of the great cities of Europe and America have gripped the Russian people by the hair of their head and have become the undisputed masters of that enormous empire."
Winston Churchill stated to the London Press, in l922.
The real menace of our republic is this invisible government which like a giant octopus sprawls its slimy length over city, state and nation. Like the octopus of real life, it operates under cover of a self created screen....At the head of this octopus are the Rockefeller Standard Oil interests and a small group of powerful banking houses generally referred to as international bankers. The little coterie of powerful international bankers virtually run the United States government for their own selfish purposes. They practically control both political parties."
New York City Mayor John F. Hylan, 1922
In the next century, nations as we know it will be obsolete; all states will recognize a single, global authority. National sovereignty wasn't such a great idea after all."
Strobe Talbot, Clinton's Deputy Secretary of State, as quoted in Time, July 20th, l992.
The real rulers in Washington are invisible, and exercise power from behind the scenes."
Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter, 1952
The drive of the Rockefellers and their allies is to create a one-world government combining supercapitalism and Communism under the same tent, all under their control.... Do I mean conspiracy? Yes I do. I am convinced there is such a plot, international in scope, generations old in planning, and incredibly evil in intent."
Congressman Larry P. McDonald, 1976, killed in the Korean Airlines 747 that was shot down by the Soviet (Illuminati) Union
The Patriots control everything. that is a MGS point of view but actually it isn't far off from reality.
The world[as a whole] is too delicate to leave to chance.
Without control, we wouldn't know where we're headed as a species. we would have to leave that result to chance and that is something intelligent beings can't fathom.
As always, truth is leaked. the only cover up of leaking truth is creating a leaking lie. to weigh which perspective is more "truth" is wut we are forced to do. just because...you never know. but the physics of this world's continuance alone, proves tha existence of fabrication behind closed doors. without so, we would be blindly walking towards a cliff.
......Dean, that second quote is referring to Carnagie and Rockefeller, aka. monopolies......Not the Illuminati.
Once again, I must quote Robin Williams.
Senator: "Mr. Gates, what do you think about the allegations of you making a monopoly?"
Gates: "Monopoly is just a game, senator, I'm trying to control the f**king world."
Gates. The pen is mightier then the sword, history has proven time and time again.