Ireland vs. United StatesBy: Christy Hays

Period: 4

03/23/15

vs.

Part I: Type of Government/Constitution

Ireland

Title: President

Name of President: Michael D. Higgins

Elected

Term Length: 2011-Present

Background: republican

United States

Title: President

Name of President: Barack Hussein Obama II

Elected

Term Length: November, 2008- Present

Ireland

Name of Lawmaking Body: Bogdanovskaia

Bicameral

4.6 Million People

United States

Name of Lawmaking Body: Legislative

In the United States, legislatures at the federal, state, and local levels may be bicameral (consisting of two houses) or unicameral (one house).

318.9 Million People

Ireland

They do have the right of freedom of speech/press.

They do have the right of freedom of religion.

They have the right to bear arms just not in a public place, there is not “Gun Permit” saying you may carry a gun in public for protection.

United States

We do have the right of freedom of speech/press.

We do have the right of freedom of religion.

We do have the right to bear arms.

Part II: Political Parties

Ireland

Has a Multiple Party System

Alternative names: Na hÉireanneach and Na Gaeil

Below are some of the symbols of the major political parties of Ireland.

United States

Has a Plurality Party System

Alternative names: USA, The Land of Opportunity, Uncle Sam, The New World.

Below are some of the symbols of the major political parties of the United States.

Part III: Elections and Voting

Ireland

Voting Age: 18 years old

A general election must be held in Ireland within 30 days of the dissolution of the Dáil. The presidential election is held every 7 years.

Both primary and general elections are held there.

United States

Voting Age: 18 years old

Elections are held on the Tuesday right after the first Monday in November (this does not necessarily mean the "first Tuesday" in a month because the first day of a month can be a Tuesday).

Both primary and general elections are held here.

Part IV: Taxes and Government Finance

Ireland Yes Ireland charges income tax.

Raises taxes when needed, make budgets on how they spend the money they make.

Education: 4.9% in 2007

Military: .5% in 2010-2014

Healthcare: mortality due to cancer fell by 21%, ischemic heart disease by 59% and cerebrovascular disease by 54% between 1990 and 2011 in Ireland. In all three instances, the rate of decline was greater than the OECD average. Life expectancy in Ireland has increased by a full four years since 2000 to reach 80.6 today, over the OECD.

United States Yes the United States charges

income tax.

Tax Excises, Customs Duties, Individual Income Taxes, Payroll Taxes, Corporate Income Taxes.

Education: 5.5% in 2007

Military: 3.8% in 2010-2014

Healthcare: spends almost 18% of GDP (gross domestic product), with per capita spending of $8,500 in 2011, two-and-a-half times greater than the OECD average ($3,322) and 50% higher than Norway and Switzerland (the next biggest spending countries).

Part V: Law

Ireland

Crime Rate: 1.2% (2012)

Crime Rate Count: 54

Prison Population: There are 3,812 people in prison custody in Ireland as of March 11th 2015.

United States

Crime Rate: 4.7% (2012)

Crime Rate Count: 14,827

Prison Population: 1,574,700 people as of 2013

Part VI: Current Relations b/w Ireland & the USA

U.S. relations with Ireland have long been based on common ancestor ties and shared values, and immigration has been a foundation of the U.S.-Irish relationship. Besides regular dialogue on political and economic issues, the U.S. and Irish Governments have official exchanges in areas such as medical research and education. With Ireland's membership in the European Union (EU), discussions of EU trade and economic policies as well as other aspects of EU policy have also become key elements in the U.S.-Irish relationship.