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DAVOS, SWITZERLAND – As the 56th World Economic Forum (WEF) opens today under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue,”a bombshell report from Oxfam International has reframed the conversation from economic growth to what it calls the “dangerous erosion of democracy.”
The report, titled Resisting the Rule of the Rich: Protecting Freedom from Billionaire Power, reveals a staggering statistic: billionaires are now 4,000 times more likely to hold political office than the average citizen.
A Year of Record Extremes
The data released this morning depicts a world of 2026 split into two distinct realities. While global hunger affects one in four people, the “billionaire class” has seen its fortunes reach unprecedented heights:
- Total Billionaire Wealth: Hit a record $18.3 trillion in 2025.
- Wealth Growth: Billionaire fortunes jumped by 16% last year—three times faster than the average of the previous five years.
- The Half-Trillion Mark: For the first time in history, the world’s richest individual, Elon Musk, has surpassed a net worth of $500 billion.
The Purchase of Politics
Oxfam argues that this isn’t just a matter of “having more money,” but of “buying more power.” The report highlights that the super-rich are increasingly securing political seats to “shape the rules of the economy for their own gain.”
“Being economically poor creates hunger. Being politically poor creates anger,” said Amitabh Behar Executive Director of Oxfam International. “The widening gap is creating a political deficit that is highly dangerous and unsustainable.”
The study cites a World Values Survey across 66 countries, finding that nearly half of all people believe elections in their nations are “bought” by the wealthy. The report specifically points to the U.S. Trump administration’s pro-billionaire policies—including tax cuts and the shielding of monopolies—as a primary driver for the $2.5 trillion surge in billionaire wealth last year alone.
The “Media Oligarchy”
A significant portion of the 2026 report focuses on the concentration of information. Governments are criticized for allowing billionaires to dominate social and traditional media:
- Elon Musk (X/Twitter)
- Jeff Bezos (The Washington Post)
- Vincent Bolloré (CNews in France)
- UK Families: Four wealthy families now control 75% of all newspaper circulation in the United Kingdom.
Davos Agenda: Trust or Tension?
As over 3,000 leaders, including 60+ heads of state, gather in the snow-clad Swiss Alps, the tension is palpable. While WEF organizers push for a “Spirit of Dialogue” to address AI innovation and climate stability, civil society groups are demanding a “Trade Bazooka” of anti-coercion instruments and a global minimum tax on the ultra-wealthy.
Oxfam’s recommendation for 2026 is clear: “National Inequality Reduction Plans” with strict firewalls between corporate wealth and political lobbying.
