Jürgen Habermas
German philosopher and sociologist Jürgen Habermas (b. 1929) ranks among the most seminal living thinkers in the world. A scion of the Frankfurt School (of critical theory), from which he has since distanced himself, Habermas has produced a vast oeuvre ranging from sociopolitical theory and the philosophy of religion to epistemology and aesthetics. Jürgen Habermas has had a profound influence not only on philosophy, sociology and communication science, but also on political thought in our day. He has taken a stance in all the major theoretical debates in Germany and regularly comments on important political controversies in his articles in the German press, including the weekly Die Zeit.
The Eurozone crisis has raised calls for greater political integration of the EU. However, sociologist Jürgen Habermas argues that the tactics adopted by European leaders have sidelined what should be their main priority: the well-being of citizens, established within a democratic framework. 
Taking their cue from the German chancellor, Europe’s leaders seem to be hiding behind “the will of the people” as an excuse for their inertia. And yet political will is what we need now to confront the crisis and bring the European project back to life, argues philosopher Jürgen Habermas.