Will Hutton, one of Britain's leading commentators on British, European and international politics, writes each week in The Observer. He is the author of the best-seller "The World We're In", following up his hit book "The State We're In".These pages contain a selection of his best pieces. Join the Will Hutton debate online, or email your comments to will.hutton@observer.co.uk
This week's Observer Comment

The future is still European
Will Hutton: Continental leaders may sound the populist trump, but the European ideal cannot easily be shrugged off.
I've been betrayed on the euro
Why I back this Warsaw pact

The truth about ageing
Will Hutton: A bright future beckons in which we will be as sprightly at 70 as we are at 50 - but only for a minority.
I want to be my own time lord

'As a writer, he set the bar in quality, moral authority and genuine influence'
Hugo Young - the journalist by Will Hutton.
'During testing times for the papers, he retained his courtesy and detachment'
'His belief in journalistic independence was total'

Confucius goes to market
Mao might be turning in his grave, but his country stands on the brink of a market-driven economic miracle.

New term, same classes
The entrenched divide between private and state school systems continues to blight British society.
The hypocrisy of going private
The class war destroying our schools
Observer special report: Education

Shun the awkward squad
Partnership with employers, not militancy and confrontation, is the only positive way forward for trade unions.

Alone, the US will fail
First the UN bomb, then the murder of three British soldiers: peace in Iraq will be elusive until reconstruction is truly international.

The tragedy of this unequal partnership
By opting to join the American hard Right Tony Blair has made the gravest mistake of his political life.

Facts are free, opinion is sacred
When our media are more interested in reporting opinion as fact, how will we ever discover the truth?

America is a harsher place
Hillary Clinton makes a compelling case for why Britain shouldn't treat with American conservatism.
Global Economy: Observer special

Don't sell out to Uncle Sam
Until we decide whether we are part of Europe or an American protectorate, we will continue to flounder.
Why Bush is sunk without Europe