Can Political Quotas Truly Empower The Marginalised? Oxfam Points to India's Model
In its Davos inequality report, Oxfam praises India's reservations for Scheduled Castes, Tribes and marginalised groups as a model for boosting political influence of the disadvantaged.
International rights group Oxfam on Monday cited India’s political reservation system as a “compelling” example of how economically disadvantaged and socially marginalised communities can be empowered within democratic systems. The remarks were made in Oxfam’s annual inequality report released on the opening day of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.
In the report, titled “Resisting the Rule of the Rich: Protecting Freedom from Billionaire Power”, Oxfam warned of the growing influence of extreme wealth on global politics. It said billionaires are around 4,000 times more likely to hold political office than ordinary citizens, raising concerns about democratic representation and policymaking increasingly shaped by elite interests.
Making a case for strengthening what it described as “the power of the many”, Oxfam argued that ordinary people gain political influence when institutional, political and social conditions support inclusive participation. According to the report, this empowerment emerges when political incentives, collective organisation, effective governance and ideological commitment align to counter structural inequality.
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Oxfam pointed to India’s system of political reservations as a key example of progress in this area. The organisation said quotas for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other marginalised groups have created pathways for economically disadvantaged and socially excluded communities to gain legislative representation and advocate redistributive policies within democratic institutions.
India provides reservations in legislatures broadly in proportion to population for SCs and STs and has also announced a 33 per cent reservation for women. In addition, various affirmative action measures exist for weaker and marginalised sections in education and government employment, forming a wider framework aimed at improving access and representation.
The report also highlighted Brazil’s participatory budgeting model, particularly in the city of Porto Alegre, as another successful example of inclusive democracy. Oxfam called on governments worldwide to protect civic space, ensure freedom of expression and association, and promote transparency and accountability to strengthen democratic participation and reduce the influence of concentrated wealth on political systems.
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