The most powerful tool in the world is the combination of People and Money.
People or population. A person who has a strong follower-ship wields a great influence among them. Winning people to belief in what you believe in is a most difficult task. If a person has large number of people following him, he can influence their political views, religion, interpersonal relationships, their participation in civil activities. Such people are feared and respected by the government. They are usually consulted secretly before major decisions are taken in a country, municipality, or regions. Politician would usually seek ways to get the favor of such individuals. A country or nation is technically controlled by people who have the largest number of voluntary fellowship.
Money is a very massive tool. Money bags are usually entrepreneurs, captains of industries. These people control the economic activities of a region, municipality, country or place. They have the soul of the economy. Money is a very sure defense. It is so powerful because it is relatively scarce. There are many people in the world today who have less money than they require; in contrast, there are very few people who have lots of money than they actually, even for their next fifty generations. Those who don't have money are naturally subject to, and controlled by those who have. With money, one acquire many things that people hold dear, and thereby controlling them with the money tool.
A person who has a great number of follower ship, and has lots of money has the most powerful tools in the world. He or she is considered influential and dangerous. They are usually accorded respect by the government whether secretly or openly.