Duke University professor John French will tackle U.S. globalization at 6 p.m. today at Cole Hall, Room 101.

Globalization is the way the United States puts banks and corporations ahead of social welfare when developing other countries, said Rosemary Feurer, an NIU history professor.

During French’s multimedia speech, “Another World is Possible: The Rise of the Brazilian Workers’ Party and the Prospects for Lula’s Government,” he will discuss an alternate path to globalization, Feurer said.

“The title suggests that another world is possible, an alternative to the status quo,” she said.

French will chronicle Lula da Silva’s rise to power from laborer, to labor union chief to Brazil president in 2002 where he became the first Brazilian working-class president.

“He’s someone who is a Martin Luther King in that respect,” Feurer said. “He deeply believes that the country should be concerned about the poor.”

Feurer said Silva already has broken waves by allying Brazil, the 11th-largest economy in the world, with Venezuela, one of the United States’ largest oil importers.

Going global

Who: Duke University professor John French

What: “Another World is Possible: The Rise of the Brazilian Workers’ Party and the Prospects for Lula’s Government”

When: 6 p.m. today

Where: Cole Hall, Room 101