One of the most famed consumer activists in American history will be on campus today to discuss the potential effects of globalization.

Ralph Nader will be speaking about “Globalization: Prospects of Democracy and Freedom” at 8 tonight in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union. His presentation is free and open to the public.

Steffen Schmidt, university professor of political science, said Nader has been a pioneer in the realm of politics for a long time. Nader helped bring attention to legislation such as the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Meat and Poultry Inspection Rules and the Freedom of Information Act, said Pat Miller, coordinator of the Committee on Lectures.

“I think Ralph Nader is a visionary who got us all started on thinking about consumers 30 years ago,” Schmidt said. “It’s interesting to see what he wants us to pay attention to now.”

Schmidt said Nader is interesting because he’s not an average politician. Nader has once again announced his run for the presidency on the Green Party ticket.

“Ralph Nader is kind of like a guru to people because he’s never given up,” Schmidt said.

Jeff Hall, library assistant at Parks Library, is involved in the Green Party, and he said Nader has a realistic grasp of the future in terms of globalization.

“I think he’s really articulate about the issues and about the future direction,” Hall said.

Hall said globalization has become a more publicized problem in today’s society.

“The problems keep getting worse,” he said. “More and more people are seeing this.”

Schmidt said Nader is very knowledgeable on specific issues concerning globalization.

“I think his interest in globalization fits into concerns like the World Trade Organization, free trade and pollution in third-world countries,” he said.

Hall said Nader was influential during last fall’s demonstrations in Seattle against the World Trade Organization.

“He was the most articulate and well-known spokesperson for what they were against,” he said.

Nader will likely encourage people to get involved in the democratic process during his speech, Hall said.

“Nader talks about the need for people to be involved and informed,” he said. “There are lots of opportunities for people to be citizens and part of a democracy.”

Nader’s presentation is part of the ISU Institute on World Affairs, which sponsors an annual series on topics of national interest to campus.