If we consider individual (leaderhip) and collective (state) ruthlessness, nothing comes close to Mao Zedong and his state chamchas. Systematic famines, dereliction of farmer rights, butchery of wealth creators, and state suppression of religion and individual liberties, are the hallmark of a once Chinese despot, who, instead of being held accountable for miseries to his fellow countrymen (some of which still continue to this day), has been propagandised as a "world leader" and a revolutionary. 40 million and more unaccounted for just within 2 years..........by a true Machiavellian character and a cult personality.