I'll have to go with Bob Marley. The guy wrote Redemption song and Zimbabwe for Christ sake. I'm not really a reggae fan but Bob was the man when It came to writing the truth and nothing but the truth.
So Bob it is.

Bono himself says, "I think Redemption Song is the one."

[lyrics derived from a speech given by the Pan-Africanist orator Marcus Garvey.]

Well, as fans maybe we are too close to Bono the man, his lyrics and U2's music to really know. But, I'd say Bono gives Bob a run for his money.

No discredit to the impassioned genius of Bob Marley, but...although he did write the unbelievably fantastic 'Redemption Song', he did borrow/adapt many of the lyrics from a famous speech....not that Bono hasn't ever borrowed! 

from Wikipedia - " "Redemption Song" is the last track on Bob Marley and the Wailers' ninth Island music album, Uprising. At the time he wrote the song, circa 1979, Marley already had been diagnosed with the cancer that later was to take his life. According to Rita Marley, "he was already secretly in a lot of pain and dealt with his own mortality, a feature that is clearly apparent in the album, particularly in this song".[1] The song is considered Marley's seminal work, with lyrics derived from a speech given by the Pan-Africanist orator Marcus Garvey. [2]"

For a really socially aware an political lyricist- check out Linton Kwesi Johnson.
His 1979 album Forces of Victory is a real snapshot of the times.

For the political  - Marley
For the personal - Bono

This is another good question, but I'd have to go with Bono as my choice.

I think both men have similar principles, but to Bob's  music has always seemed more regional while some of Bono's has seemed more global. Perhaps its because I associate reggae primarily with the Carribean, while I find U2's tunes include a wider lens or reference from the regional challenges in Ireland to famines and problems elsewhere. I also suspect that I'm giving Bono credit for much of his and Geldof's noble works, U2's humanitarian campaigns, and his speeches and presence at some high-profile political events.

Peter Tosh, Billy Bragg, Bob Dylan, Bruce Cockburn, even Neil Young ... all vital voices.

I'll have to go with Bob Marley. The guy wrote Redemption song and Zimbabwe for Christ sake. I'm not really a reggae fan but Bob was the man when It came to writing the truth and nothing but the truth.
So Bob it is.

Which Marley albums do you own?

I'll have to go with Bob Marley. The guy wrote Redemption song and Zimbabwe for Christ sake. I'm not really a reggae fan but Bob was the man when It came to writing the truth and nothing but the truth.
So Bob it is.

Which Marley albums do you own?

Catch a fire
Burnin´
Natty Dread
Rastaman Vibration
Kaya
Babylon By Bus
Survival
Uprising

Which one do you own?

Agreed. Bob Dylan is the man when it comes to lyrics.

I'll have to go with Bob Marley. The guy wrote Redemption song and Zimbabwe for Christ sake. I'm not really a reggae fan but Bob was the man when It came to writing the truth and nothing but the truth.
So Bob it is.

Which Marley albums do you own?

Catch a fire
Burnin´
Natty Dread
Rastaman Vibration
Kaya
Babylon By Bus
Survival
Uprising

Which one do you own?

That's alot of reggae for someone who doesn't like reggae.

I've got

Babylon By Bus (live)
Rastaman Vibration
Legend
Natty Dread
Songs Of Freedom (box set)

I'll have to go with Bob Marley. The guy wrote Redemption song and Zimbabwe for Christ sake. I'm not really a reggae fan but Bob was the man when It came to writing the truth and nothing but the truth.
So Bob it is.

Which Marley albums do you own?

Catch a fire
Burnin´
Natty Dread
Rastaman Vibration
Kaya
Babylon By Bus
Survival
Uprising

Which one do you own?

That's alot of reggae for someone who doesn't like reggae.

I've got

Babylon By Bus (live)
Rastaman Vibration
Legend
Natty Dread
Songs Of Freedom (box set)

Yeah but I like Bob and Tosh and some old reagea tunes. And I've got a collection of about 3000 records

Bob Marley! His music and lyrics mean so much to us here in the Caribbean

For the political  - Marley
For the personal - Bono

I think you're right on the money here. they are both brilliant.

For the political  - Marley
For the personal - Bono

Thats so true.

For a really socially aware an political lyricist- check out Linton Kwesi Johnson.
His 1979 album Forces of Victory is a real snapshot of the times.

Nice Choice. Really cool that you know of LKJ. I've always preferred Dread Beat and Blood but Forces of Victory is great too.