Rights group Oxfam on Monday flagged the growing influence of billionaires in politics worldwide, while pointing to India’s reservation system as a “compelling” example of how ordinary citizens can be politically empowered. “This happens when institutional inclusiveness, political incentives for responsiveness, collective organisation, effective governance and ideological commitments align. The report noted that there are “compelling examples of progress” in addressing this challenge, citing India’s political reservation system. “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,” Oxfam said. Oxfam also highlighted Brazil’s experience with Participatory Budgeting, which began in the 1990s and expanded significantly in the 2000s.

Source: The Telegraph January 19, 2026 06:54 UTC