Rent seeking

Non-existent study circles

In recent years, widespread fraud and irregularities have been uncovered in Sweden’s ten study associations that run non-formal adult education. Tax money has gone to fictitious study circles with no actual participants. The money may also have been passed on to criminal or anti-democracy organisations.

 

The Swedish National Council of Adult Education, which has been in charge since 1991, long denied that widespread fraud existed. The study associations were able to audit themselves. How much of the around SEK 2 billion a year that goes to non-formal adult education has vanished into thin air remains unknown.

 

Around the public troughs of money for various praiseworthy purposes flock rent seekers who not only squirrel other people’s money away into their own pockets but then fight tooth and nail for their right to do so.

 

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