Top 10 Good Policies By Infamous Leaders

Vlad III was a Wallachian ruler who would serve as the inspiration for Bram Stoker's classic novel "Dracula," while also earning the nickname of "Vlad the Impaler" after his death. This was due to his practice of impaling his enemies on poles, as a warning to all who might oppose him. Many Romanians and some Bulgarians, however, saw Tepes as a patriot against the Russian aristocracy and nobility, also known as the Boyars, in the region. Additionally, Vlad's military campaigns against the Ottoman Empire were seen by some as attempts to resist those who sought to conquer his beloved region of Wallachia.

This strong military man was considered many different things by a variety of people, from ruthless dictator to freedom fighter to genocidal madman. Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell was responsible for innovating modern combat within the English army, introducing a close-quartered cavalry formation, which, alongside Cromwell's natural leadership ability, made the military an even more efficient force against their foes. This commander of the New Model Army, nicknamed "Old Ironsides," would move quickly from deposing King Charles I to becoming one of the most polarizing figures in English history.

This complex Russian leader was a man of contradictions. Simultaneously intelligent and cultured, yet prone to fits of murderous, almost psychotic violence, Ivan the Terrible served as Grand Prince of Moscow from 1533 to 1547 and Tsar of All the Russias from 1547 until his death in 1584. His tendency towards paranoia and mental imbalance made him an unpredictable menace for many Russian citizens. However, Ivan’s support of the arts and his willingness to open up Russia to international trade made him a hero to many common citizens of the day.

Born around 1162 with the name Temujin, he was the man later called Genghis Khan and who became the emperor of the Mongol Empire. Genghis Khan would lead successful military campaigns across Eurasia, while at the same time earning a reputation for his brutal tactics on the battlefield. Khan would also facilitate trade via the Silk Road, while at the same time protecting religious freedom for the areas that would fall beneath his feet. This leader also promoted the idea of a meritocracy, which is that power should be given to those with the ability and talent to utilize it, making his rule controversial, but efficient.

The Fuhrer of Nazi Germany suffered from a variety of ailments over the course of his life, but there was one vice in particular which Adolf Hitler sought to purge from German society. The World War I veteran would smoke heavily in his youth, but would later decry the habit as a "waste of money." He therefore implemented heavy anti-smoking campaigns to decrease its usage for both civilians and the military. Hitler would even go so far as to rewards officers who quit smoking with gold watches and other incentives.

This Fifth President of Iraq has been both an enemy to the United States during the Gulf War, and a controversial leader among his own people, ruling over what was considered a brutal dictatorial regime. On the plus side though, the prosperity that oil exports brought to the country allowed Hussein and his party to implement free universal healthcare for all citizens. Similarly, Iraq's educational system received a boost during Hussein's reign, substantially increasing literacy rates. The country's education and healthcare systems were among the best in the region until the 1980s and 90s when their budgets were reduced by as much as 90% due to economic sanctions and increased spending on war efforts.

The Fidel Castro-led government of Cuba has had a history of self-sustainability despite the commercial, economic and financial embargo by the U.S. that’s been in effect since 1960. That’s quite a feat. Increased literacy rates were also prevalent within Cuban society during Castro's rule, despite the leader's controversial reputation as a dictator and human rights violator. This, combined with the support of some who view the infamous Cuban leader as a figure against American imperialism, make Fidel Castro one of the most polarizing figures of the 20th century.

This founder of the People's Republic of China was responsible for millions of deaths, due to forced labor and starvation. Yet at the same time, Mao Zedong was a major force in turning China towards its status as a major world power. Zedong, also known a Mao Tse-Tung or Chairman Mao, supervised major industrialization in China, while at the same time improving conditions for women, education, and health care. Additionally, there was no major invasion on Chinese soil after Zedong took power, making this Chairman's legacy one marked by controversy and complexity.

The brutal Socialist regime of infamous Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin has been said to have caused the deaths of millions. Still, were it not for the efforts of Stalin's government as a member of the Allied Powers during World War II, in which the Red Army’s capture of Berlin essentially ended the war in Europe, then the nation of Russia might not have risen to the status of world superpower it enjoys today.
Before we reveal our top pick, here are some honorable mentions.

Ended Italy's Feud with the Pope; Increased School Attendance
Benito Mussolini (In Power: 1922-1943)

Ended Russia's Involvement in World War I; Created Social Reforms for Workers
Vladimir Lenin (In Power: 1922-1924)

Nationalized Venezuela's Oil Industry
Hugo Chávez (In Power: 1999-2013)

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi took power in Libya via a coup d'etat in 1969, embarking upon a reign marked by heavy restrictions on freedoms of association and of the press. Still, Gaddafi's reign would also have beneficial effects for Libyan citizens, including free education, health care, and even the elimination of Libya's external debt. Gaddafi would eventually be deposed, captured and killed in 2011. This left his legacy as one balanced by two polarizing extremes: Gaddafi the anti-imperialist leader and Gaddafi the totalitarian dictator.

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