LaRouche Movement

The LaRouche movement is a political and cultural network promoting Lyndon LaRouche and his ideas. It has included many organizations and companies around the world, which campaign, gather information, and publish books and periodicals. The movement promotes a revival of classical art and a greater commitment to science; advocates the development of major economic infrastructure projects on a global scale; and calls for a reform of the world financial system to encourage investment in the physical economy and suppress financial speculation.

The movement originated in radical leftist student politics of the 1960s. It is often viewed now as an unclassifiable group. In the 1970s members allegedly engaged in street violence. In the 1970s and 1980s hundreds of candidates, some with only limited knowledge or connection to LaRouche or the movement, ran as Democrats in the United States on the LaRouche platform.

In 1988, LaRouche and 25 associates were convicted on fraud charges related to fund-raising. The movement called the prosecutions politically motivated. The movement was rejuvenated from the decline after the convictions by the creation of a youth cadre, the LaRouche Youth Movement, and by their opposition to the Bush/Cheney administration and the Obama health care reform plan.

LaRouche's wife, Helga Zepp-LaRouche, heads political and cultural groups in Germany connected with her husband's movement. There are also parties in France, Sweden, and other European countries, and branches or affiliates in Australia, Canada, the Philippines, and several Latin American countries. Estimates of the movement range from five hundred to one thousand members in the United States, spread across more than a dozen cities, and about the same number abroad. Members engage in political organizing, fund-raising, cultural events, research and writing, and internal meetings. It has been called a political cult by some journalists. According to reporters, members believe they are solely responsible for the protection of civilization and some work long hours for little pay to further their mission. The LaRouche movement has been accused of harassing public officials, politicians, journalists, ex-members, and critics. The movement has had a number of notable members.