Habermas: A Very Short Introduction provides an overview of Jürgen Habermas's forbiddingly complex philosophy using concrete examples. Habermas is arguably the most influential German philosopher alive today. He has influenced a variety of fields, including philosophy, political and social theory, cultural studies, sociology, and literary studies. He has commented widely on subjects such as Marxism, the importance and effectiveness of communication, the reunification of Germany, and the European Union. What are the theoretical underpinnings of Habermas's social theory? How can his social theory be applied to the fields of ethics, politics, and law? How have Habermas's social and political theories informed his writing on contemporary, political, and social problems?