Ralph Nader (born February 27, 1934) is an American attorney, author, lecturer, political activist, and four time former candidate for President of the United States, having run as an independent candidate in 2004 and 2008, and a Green Party candidate in 1996 and 2000.

Areas of particular concern to Nader include consumer protection, humanitarianism, environmentalism, and democratic government. With grassroots democracy civic actions, green politics and left-wing politics, he is a reputed populist, harking to 19th century American populists and movements like Henry George's geoism, which he referred to in his 2004 presidential election platform.

Nader was born in Winsted, Connecticut. His parents, Nathra and Rose Nader, were immigrants from Lebanon, and his mother was Orthodox Christian. His family's native language is Arabic, and he has spoken it along with English since childhood. His sister, Laura Nader, is an anthropologist.