A Danish expert laments the lack of understanding and open discussion about capitalism in Denmark. He argues that the country’s intellectual climate, coupled with the business community’s reluctance to defend the system, has created a significant “capitalism education loss.”

Stefan K. Sløk-Madsen, a PhD and external lecturer, originally called for a national conversation about capitalism in May, but now admits his mistake. He believes Denmark is no longer intellectually capable of having a productive conversation about the topic.

According to Sløk-Madsen, searching for the word “capitalism” in Danish media and speeches reveals primarily criticism and misunderstandings. He describes a “sad experience” of trying to learn about capitalism as a hypothetical young person, finding limited information in education and business organizations.

Sløk-Madsen found that general upper secondary education offers little insight into markets or companies. Even at the university level, a comprehensive understanding of capitalism is lacking. He also notes that business organizations, such as the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI), provide little information on the topic, focusing instead on blockchain or diversity and social responsibility.

He emphasizes the absence of organizations dedicated to explaining capitalism thoroughly and professionally. This lack of education makes it difficult to develop society realistically and desirably.

Sløk-Madsen suggests that even critics of capitalism often fail to present a fair representation of the system. He warns that if business organizations become mere lobby groups for short-term interests, it will create societal problems over time.

Sløk-Madsen concludes that “big capital seems to have withdrawn from the nation, and capitalism has no friends who want to be associated with it in this country,” considering the current situation “sad.”