Who's had an impact on society?

Each weekend, BBC News Online profiles a figure who has had an impact on the previous week's news. Now we want to know who has left the greatest impression on you.

	Newsmaker Poll of 2002 10 Dec: Culture 11 Dec: Showbiz 12 Dec: Politics/society 13 Dec: Sports 16 Dec: Choose between the 4 winners

The Newsmaker profile, which has been running each week on BBC News Online for three years, sets out to take an original and thoughtful look at a character who has left a mark on the previous week.

Who do you think has had the most impact? Today it's the turn of people from the world of politics and society. They are listed in alphabetical order, and you can read more about any of them by following links to the original profile. Vote at the bottom of the page.

Jimmy Carter, the former US president, was already winning more plaudits this year than ever he did in office - and then he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He used the event to warn of the dangers of a pre-emptive strike on Iraq.

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Another ex-president, but Bill Clinton is facing the same difficult situation of finding a new role. But it must have seemed like old times at the Labour Party conference in Blackpool where he was feted like a returning conqueror.

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The argument over whether the leader of the Nation of Islam was a black supremacist or a legitimate spiritual leader came to London, where the authorities' refusal to let Farrakhan in the UK was again challenged.

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Alan Greenspan, the man for so long credited with bringing stability to the world's economy, was given an honorary knighthood by the Queen. But at home he found his reputation tarnished as financial woes reared their head again.

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Familiar to listeners of Radio 4's News Quiz for his quick-witted barbs, Hardy found himself caught up in violence on the West Bank, witnessing Israeli soldiers opening fire on protesters. Ever the campaigner, Hardy let his views be known.

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Prince Harry, 18 this year, displayed his growing maturity in taking on some of the charity work of his mother. It came as the Royals enjoyed - then endured - another 12 months of frenzied media interest.

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The wife of U2's Bono, Ali Hewson continued her mission to prick the UK's conscience in campaigning against the Sellafield nuclear reprocessing plant. She took Tony Blair a million postcards to make her point.

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Henry Kissinger, the master diplomat who pioneered detente during the Cold War, but whose name is linked to some of the darkest episodes in US foreign policy, returned to the global scene - this time analysing why 11 September happened.

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Film-maker Michael Moore, outspoken critic of modern US politics and business, again powerfully illustrated that the media can be used to further his side of the argument too.

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Christopher Reeve was once the all-American hero. But in keeping the hope alive that he will walk again, he has impressed millions with another kind of grit.

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Clare Short is a rare example of a politician who gives the impression of having uncompromising confidence in her beliefs. Warning that she would resign as a front bencher (having already done so twice before) if Tony Blair went too far in supporting attacks on Iraq, Short says her ambition is simply to "do some good".

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This vote is now closed.

Cultural Newsmaker of the Year
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Showbiz Newsmaker of the Year
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Sport Newsmaker of the Year
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