Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : ‘Creates Opportunities For Economically Disadvantaged’: Oxfam Praises India’s Quota System In Politics | India News and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
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Oxfam said governments must guarantee an enabling civic space and called for the protection of freedom of expression, assembly and association
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As it flagged the growing influence of billionaires in politics worldwide, rights group Oxfam on Monday cited India’s reservation system as a “compelling” example of how ordinary people can be politically empowered.
In its annual inequality report released on the opening day of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, Oxfam International said billionaires are 4,000 times more likely to hold political office than ordinary citizens. The report highlighted how wealth concentration is reshaping political landscapes across countries.
Making a case for building “the power of the many”, Oxfam said ordinary people gain influence in political systems where institutional, political and social conditions enhance their ability to shape decision-making despite structural inequality.
“This happens when institutional inclusiveness, political incentives for responsiveness, collective organisation, effective governance and ideological commitments align,” the report said.
It added that “Non-state actors such as CSOs, grassroots movements and trade unions are natural allies of states in building greater political engagement from under-represented communities, and ensuring access for all to meaningful participation in policymaking”.
Citing India as an example of progress, Oxfam said, “In India, for example, political reservations (quotas) for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other marginalised groups create opportunities for economically disadvantaged and socially excluded communities to gain legislative representation and push redistributive policies”.
India provides reservations for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in legislatures based on population and has recently announced 33 per cent reservation for women. Quotas are also extended to other marginalised groups in education and government jobs.
The report also referred to Brazil’s participatory budgeting model, noting, “Its most prominent example was the city of Porto Alegre, whose experience became an international reference in participatory democracy by allowing citizens to directly decide on portions of the municipal public budget”.
Oxfam said governments must guarantee an enabling civic space and called for the protection of freedom of expression, assembly and association, along with greater transparency, accountability and access to information to strengthen democratic participation.
(With inputs from agencies)
January 19, 2026, 09:15 IST
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