Ralph Nader, 2000 Green Party presidential candidate, social critic and the nation's leading consumer advocate, will discuss the power of third-party political groups in an address at 2 p.m. Monday, April 2, in Community Arts Auditorium. The one-hour lecture, "Breaking the Two-Party Duopoly: The Role of Progressive Political Movements," will be followed by a 30-minute question period.

A lawyer, writer and lecturer, Nader organized students into teams nicknamed "Nader's Raiders" by the press in 1968. Over the past 30 years, Nader's Raiders have challenged what they call misused corporate and lobbyist power, and prodded government agencies to work in the public interest.

Nader became nationally prominent in the mid-1960s, after the publication of his book, Unsafe at any Speed The Designed-In Dangers of the American Mutomohile. In spring 1966, Congress held hearings to investigate the auto industry. Nader, the key witness, articulated the need for a strong law enforcement agency to govern the auto industry and vehicle safety. The hearing led to the passage of federal motor vehicle and highway safety laws.

Since then, Nader has testified at numerous Congressional public hearings on subjects including food safety, natural gas pipelines, radiation control, product defects, miners' working conditions, toxic substances, workplace hazards and government secrecy.

As a result of these hearings much legislation has been passed protecting consumers, ensuring workers' health and safety, opening access to government, and reining in corporate abuses.

Lately Nader has attracted severe criticism from within some of his traditional constituencies. Many Democrats, environmentalists and even consumer advocates claim that his third-party candidacy drew votes away from Al Gore and effectively put George W. Bush - not known for consumerism or environmentalism- into the White House.

Nader's appearance is hosted by the WSU Student Alumni Association and funded by the Student Omnibus Fee and the Student Council. Admission is free. Tickets are available in Room 351 of the Student Center building. For more information call (313) 577-2167.