User blog comment:Blackendedsoul/Might speculation/@comment-4164499-20130105145614/@comment-4605926-20130105165527

Correct me if I'm wrong but the Marines are kinda part of the World Government I believe. Even a Fleet Admiral is obliged to abide the rules of their higher ranks.

We haven't really seen any powerful World Government members yet (Enies Lobby + PC9 could've been defeated single handedly and without too much effort by Luffy Post-Timeskip or many New World pirates), perhaps Commander-in-Chief, Gorosei, Impel Down employees (Magellan) and other characters we were yet to be introduced to?

I believe the overall power of the pirates is much greater than that of the entire World Government (including Marines). Only problem about them is that they're scattered into many different groups and are therefore, weaker in comparison. Don't forget that an alliance of a single Yonko managed to create a great deal of damage to the Marines.

Every country in the world varies greatly in strength, it's difficult to say where they should be put. A country like Alabasta isn't too powerful and many pirate crews might be able to take control over it. I believe Wano Country is a greater force to be reckoned with.

Only reason Yonko and Shichibukai are placed the lowest in the hierarchy is because they are a relatively small group I guess.

The revolutionaries are so mysterious at the moment, but I believe they consist of many more people than normal pirate crews.