Lets have a look at the contenders:
DDE - I dont know of any other alliance that people either love or hate. Rek put DDE out there and when he left, that is a big hole to fill
JT/Deni took the alliance and moved it forward. DDE has changed how its run, but it is for the better. You can say what you will, people can hate them for what they stand for, but they must be respected.
OE - They should be mentioned as well. I still think they killed off the Omega system lords

but they have always been up there.
I don't really care for ETL, but you have to respect the guy. When he stands with OE, they bounce back. OE have lost a lot of great fighters who where the backbone of OE.
Legion - To me these guys where the bad boys, when Blaah and co where at there full might. They have gone quiet, but a sleeping monster that would hold there own against anyone, even multiple alliances.
TAF - A strange group. They have been up and down and seen as maybe not the dominant force but Mathlord and co have really stepped up there game and I think they really showed there merit vs OE. They are quite peaceful, but full respect to those guys, annoy them and they will bite.
FS - I guess going through a transition period with mezz and co out of the game, but have always stood their ground, not being pushed around by bigger alliances/empires.
Mayhem - Still in the game and going strong. I think Teal'auc and co would be happy with their progress. A great alliance although have not always been Goauld friendly
Maelstrom - Worth a mention as they have developed some mean players and if we are talking about perg, then they rule that
And the winner is..................................
DDE.
I will say that for an alliance of just 1 race, then hats off to Ricos for carrying the system lord only alliance. When the game changed and the stargate theme diminished, Ricos have taken that on. There has been many great system lord alliances in the past, but all have crumbled. Ricos will carry the system lords forward after all, the goauld are the real gods of the game
