Gandalf as Ring-lord

[The Saucepan Man]

Many brutal and repressive dictators started out full of idealism, acting on the basis of a desire to do good. But in their utter conviction that "their way" is the best way for those ruled by them, they brook no opposition, gradually using crueler and more brutal means to quell any dissent. This is how I see Gandalf as Ringlord.

Perhaps, in implementing his desire that everyone should be treated equally and fairly, enterprise and invention would be stifled, leading to a miserable and grey society (a kind of proto-communism). Ultimately, I see a society led by Gandalf the Ringlord as being akin to a primitive version of that depicted in 1984, where, for the good of society, initiative and creativity are stifled, children are encouraged to rat on their parents, ctizens are told what is good for them and what they should believe, and dissenters are dealt with swiftly and brutally. The resultant society would be one devoid of any colour, joy or love.