Populism and Religion in Brazil: The View from Education Policy. Issue 4 (17th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Segatto, Catarina Ianni; Alves, Mário Aquino; Pineda, Andrea
• Is Part Of: Social policy and society. Volume 21:Issue 4(2022)
• Page Start: 560
• Page End: 574
• Publication Date: 2022-10-17
• Subjects: Populism -- religion -- education policy -- Brazil; Social policy -- Periodicals; 361.6105
• DOI: 10.1017/S147474642100004X
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-7464

Abstract

Abstract : This article is a case study of Brazil, a country where Catholic-based organizations have historically played a key role in providing education and welfare services. Since the 1980s, these organizations have supported progressive changes at both the national and subnational levels. Nevertheless, the influence of religion on education policy has shifted in the last few decades. Pentecostal and Neopentecostal groups have gained prominence through representatives in the National Congress, and, in 2018, formed a coalition enabling the election of a right-wing populist President. We analyse the trajectory of religious groups' influence on Brazil's education policy over time (colonization to the 1980s, the 1980s to the beginning of the 2000s, and the 2000s until now) through a qualitative-historical analysis of primary and secondary data. This article argues that both Catholic and Protestant groups have influenced progressive changes in Brazil's education policy, but they also share conservative ideas impeding further advances.