I wouldn't exactly call that a list of important thinkers, its more like a list of the years important or pivotal people. Edward Snowden and John Kerry may have made important statements this year, but neither of them have revolutionary world views that could change the way people see the world.

That is to say, Snowden doesn't say anything new about libertarian-socialism or state surveillance, he was just a pivotal figure in publicizing the US domestic spying program.