Ralph Nader

Ralph Nader's extraordinary 30-year legacy has been defined by his fearlessness in confronting major powers in both politics and industry. His battle with the auto industry, chronicled in Unsafe at Any Speed, led to life-saving motor vehicle legislation. He has defended the integrity of political office by speaking out against the increasing corporate influence over politics and the laws allowing multinational companies to make unlimited partisan donations.

Nader's reputation as a public crusader makes the title of his first novel, Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us, deceiving at first glance. Outlining Nader's "practical utopia," the book is a witty and insightful vision of the enduring improvements to society that America's most powerful figures could achieve if they pooled their resources toward a singular goal. Legendary magazine editor Lewis Lapham has called it "as inspirited a work of the political imagination as Tom Paine's Common Sense."

An architect of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Nader's most significant triumphs include the integration of consumer rights, open government, and humane business practices into modern society. Having predicted the Wall Street meltdown years ago, he now presents a ten-point plan for recovery that includes sweeping structural changes to the housing and financial markets.

Nader's grassroots organization of the Green Party's first presidential campaign, along with his use of a dedicated network of activists and leaders, has served as a blueprint for the newest generation of environmentalists working toward ensuring a strong and sustainable quality of life worldwide. With a simple yet profound credo, Nader claims, "There can be no daily democracy without daily citizenship."