Motivations for Global Conquest
What motivations (ideological or political, but not religious) would an individual with the actual intent and resources to do so have to conquer the world and rule it under a totalitarian autocracy? What justification would they give for why this will be more efficient for the world at large?
In my mind, the motivation to rule the world would be to do for others who can't or won't do for themselves. I'd be a benevolent dictator, dragging the human race into a better future. Absolute power to rule absolutely for the absolute betterment of man kind. To most people, that sounds like a huge problem because it speaks to that part of every human being's mind that cries out to think for itself. However it wouldn't just be making the world over in my own image or in the way I'd prefer it to be. There can be dissent, it just won't become so overwhelming and inpenetrable in the service of special interests that progress is totally hindered for decades.
My motivation would be to have a world powered by solar energy, yes massive arrays of solar panels in the worlds deserts.
No more oil companies ripping everyone off.
That would be a start, getting rid of riligious institutions would also be high on the list, people can believe what they want but shouldn´t bother other people with it, especially in a "believe or die" way.