Biography
Mark P. Jones, Ph.D., is the fellow in political science at the Baker Institute, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies and a professor in the Department of Political Science at Rice University.
Jones also serves as the faculty director of Rice’s Master of Global Affairs program. His research focuses on the effect of electoral laws and other political institutions on governance, representation and voting. He has received substantial financial support for this research, including grants from the National Science Foundation. His research has been published in journals such as the American Journal of Political Science, Electoral Studies and the Journal of Politics, as well as in edited volumes published by Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press and Penn State University Press, among others. He is a frequent contributor to Texas media outlets, and his research on the Texas Legislature has been widely cited in the media as well as by numerous political campaigns.
Jones regularly advises U.S. government institutions on economic and political affairs in Argentina and has conducted research on public policy issues in Latin America and Texas for numerous international, national and local organizations, including the Inter-American Development Bank, the United Nations Development Programme, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Texas Department of Agriculture and the city of Houston. He is a frequent commentator in local, state, national and international media on government, politics and public policy. He is currently working on two principal research agendas, one that examines the impact of political institutions on politics and public policy in Latin America, and the other that analyzes the evolution of partisan politics in Texas over the past 50 years. Jones received his doctorate from the University of Michigan and his bachelor’s degree from Tulane University.
Jones leads the Baker Institute's Argentina Program and helps direct the Presidential Elections Program.
Contact him at mpjones@rice.edu or (713) 348-2107.
Recent Publications
What Do Statehouses Tell Us About the Future of the Republican Party?
On The Economist’s latest episode of the Checks and Balance podcast, fellow Mark P. Jones breaks down what the top legislative priorities in Texas are, and what state-level arguments reveal about the future of the Republican agenda.
Republican Megadonor Miriam Adelson is Leading a Push for Gambling in Texas
Lawmakers are filing legislation to bring Las Vegas-style resorts to Texas as casino and sports team owners push to legalize betting in GOP states. Fellow Mark P. Jones said Texas is an "extreme outlier in terms of our complete lack of casino gambling."
Chinese Citizens in Texas Are Incensed Over a Proposal to Ban Them From Buying Property in the State
Recently proposed legislation to restrict Chinese citizens from purchasing property in Texas has prompted protests from the state’s Chinese community. Fellow Mark P. Jones says SB 147 is unlikely to pass in its present “unconstitutional” form.
External Publications
- "Texas Legislative Issues 2023: Energy," Hobby School of Public Affairs, University of Houston, 2023.
- "Texas Legislative Issues 2023: Abortion, Gun Safety, Immigration and Election Reform," Hobby School of Public Affairs, University of Houston, 2023.
- "Texas Legislative Issues 2023: Marijuana," Hobby School of Public Affairs, University of Houston, 2023.
- "Texas Legislative Issues 2023: Culture Wars," Hobby School of Public Affairs, University of Houston, 2023.
- "Texas Legislative Issues 2023: School Choice," Hobby School of Public Affairs, University of Houston, 2023.
- "Texas Legislative Issues 2023: Gambling," Hobby School of Public Affairs, University of Houston, 2023.
- "Texas Legislative Issues 2023: State Budget Surplus," Hobby School of Public Affairs, University of Houston, 2023.