All the replies herein are very well thought out, I'm glad I inspired an intellectual debate :) I think money is interchangeable with resources, which can be in the form of human capital and backing by followers, Nelson Mandela had a huge following of ANC members in South Africa which is why he managed to come to power, he had resources. No matter how great of a guy he was, if he didn't have the masses behind him lobbying for his release, he would have remained in prison. A person can have passion but if he has no tools or resources he can't do much.