Public Citizen
| Founded | 1971 by Ralph Nader in the US |
|---|---|
| Type | Think tank |
| Focus | Consumer advocacy |
| Location | |
|
Area served
|
Nationwide (US) |
| Method | Research, lobbying, litigation and appeals, media attention, direct-appeal campaigns |
|
Key people
|
Robert Weissman, President Robert C. Fellmeth, (Foundation Chair) Jason Adkins, Inc. Chair Joan Claybrook, emeritus President |
|
Revenue
|
$15.468 million (2014) [1] |
| Website | http://www.citizen.org |
Public Citizen is a non-profit, consumer rights advocacy group and think tank based in Washington, D.C., United States, with a branch in Austin, Texas.
Contents
Lobbying efforts
Public Citizen advocates before all three branches of the United States federal government.[2] Its five divisions include: Congress Watch; Energy; Global Trade Watch; the Health Research Group; and Public Citizen Litigation Group, a nationally prominent public interest law firm founded by Alan Morrison and known for its Supreme Court and appellate practice.[3]
Broadly speaking, Public Citizen favors robust corporate accountability and strong government regulation, particularly in the areas of transport, healthcare, and nuclear power. The organization's priorities range from campaign finance reform to drug and auto safety and financial reform. The unifying theme is an effort to curb the impact of corporate power on American democracy.[2]
Public Citizen's pro-regulatory stance has been criticized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.[4]
Organization and history
Founded by Ralph Nader in 1971,[5] Public Citizen is funded by dues and contributions from its members and supporters, foundation grants, and publication sales and does not accept government or corporate funds.[6]
Public Citizen's slogan is “Corporations have their lobbyists in Washington, D.C. The People need advocates too.” As explained on its website, its overarching goal is “to ensure that all citizens are represented in the halls of power.” It is a nonprofit organization unaffiliated with any partisan political activity, and it does not endorse anybody running for public office. It survives on donations from its 80,000 supporters and on other income, and it does not accept donations from governments or corporations.
Disassociation from Ralph Nader
In the aftermath of Ralph Nader's role in the 2000 presidential election, Public Citizen disassociated itself from its founder. Wrote Mother Jones, "For evidence of how rank-and-file liberals have turned against Nader, one need look no further than the empire he created. Public Citizen, the organization (Nader) founded in 1971, has a new fundraising problem–its founder. After the election, contributions dropped... When people inquire about Nader's relationship to the organization, Public Citizen sends out a letter that begins with a startling new disclaimer: 'Although Ralph Nader was our founder, he has not held an official position in the organization since 1980 and does not serve on the board. Public Citizen–and the other groups that Mr. Nader founded–act independently.'"[7]
People associated with Public Citizen
- Ralph Nader, founder
- Joan Claybrook, first Executive Director
- Representative Donna Edwards
- Robert Weissman, Executive Director
- Mark J. Green
- Lori Wallach, Director, Global Trade Watch
- Sidney M. Wolfe, Director, Health Research Group
- Phil Radford, Former Organizer, Global Trade Watch; currently democracy, clean energy and environmental leader
- Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director, Food and Water Watch
- Lisa Gilbert, Congress Watch Director
See also
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 About Public Citizen
- ↑ Courting Change: The Story of the Public Citizen Litigation Group
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.[dead link]
- ↑ Staff report (June 2, 1971). Nader Forums Unite To Seek Donations.New York Times
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Margolis, John (July/August 2001) Nader Unrepentant. Mother Jones.
