Marc S. Jacob

Marc S. Jacob is a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Political Science with the Polarization Research Lab (PRL). His research interests are broadly focused on comparative politics, political economy, and political behavior. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in the American Journal of Political Science, Party Politics, and Democratization.

King Center Supported Research

2023 - 2024 Academic Year | Global Development Research Funding

Public Goods Provision and the Rise of Evangelical Churches in Brazil

We examine the emergence of evangelical churches as alternative providers of goods in Brazil due to deficiencies in public goods provision. Anecdotal evidence suggests a rising trend of citizens turning to evangelical churches instead of the state for essential services. With ties to right-wing populist politicians, these churches assume state functions, leading to significant yet unexplored implications for the economy and politics. The research delves into three interconnected inquiries. First, it identifies the types of lacking public goods that foster the growth of evangelical churches. Second, it investigates the sociodemographic groups more inclined to join these churches, the received goods, and reciprocal contributions. Lastly, the study explores how evangelical leaders mobilize congregants in political participation, potentially impacting electoral choices and political accountability. Employing diverse methodologies, including fieldwork in São Paulo and survey experiments, the research aims to elucidate the role of evangelical churches in service provision and their political repercussions, offering insights into the evolving dynamics of public and private sector interactions in developing countries.