Economic Development

Ireland is the home of a mixed economy. Though the country's constitution allows for private entrepreneurship, it also gives the government permission to provide "essential services" to the people (Boland et al., n.d.). Because of this, the state is involved in transportation, television, electricity, and health insurance. According to the 2013 Index of Economic Freedom, Ireland has an overall economic freedom score of 75.7 ("Ireland," 2013). The factors that contribute to this score include government spending, fiscal, business, and labor freedom, and freedom from corruption. The index considers Ireland as the eleventh freest country in the world. 

The 1990's were a golden time for Ireland. The country's high-technology sector boasted a relatively low corporate tax rate which allowed the economy to grow and unemployment to decrease to record-breaking levels. When this progress began to slow at the turn of the twenty-first century, the state turned to mortgage and construction companies to maintain a steady level of growth. This focus inflated these industries tremendously, without much capital to back this gain, and in 2008 they collapsed, leaving an intense economic recession their wake. In 2010, the European Union and International Monetary Fund bailed out the country, provided that Ireland complied with strict budgetary restrictions (Boland et al., n.d.). 

Agriculture is an important industry in Ireland's economy.

On a lighter note, agriculture remains a vital part in Ireland's economy. The country's rich agricultural land and ideal climate make Ireland an important farming country. From beef cattle to sheep raising to cereal growing, Ireland truly hosts a plethora of agricultural gold. Among the most successful output in the farming industry includes beef, farmhouse cheese, and bloodstock. 

Ireland does, however, lack a large supply of minerals. In fact, the country must depend almost entirely on imports for energy development. Almost all rural homes are "connected to the national electricity network, which relies partly on hydroelectric plants and on small and medium-sized peat-burning thermal power stations" (Boland et al., n.d.). 

The country is one of the world's top exporters of computer software. Ireland's chief trading partner is the United Kingdom, among other European Union nations. Other significant exports include textiles, food, and machinery. 

Ireland adopted the euro as its official currency in 1979.

In 1979, Ireland joined the European Monetary System, and in doing so, adopted the euro as its official currency. The two most important finance buildings in Ireland are the Central Bank of Ireland and the Irish Stock Exchange. Though the Central Bank does not perform any transactions with the public, it is responsible for overseeing the country's other financial buildings, including the Irish Stock Exchange. The Exchange is actually the oldest in the world; it has been in-use since 1793. 

Sources:

Boland, F., Edwards, R.W.D., Kay, S., Ranelagh, J. O., Abhinav, V., Albert, M., ... Young, G.  (n.d.).  Ireland.  Encyclopædia Britannica.  Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/293754/Ireland

Ireland.  (2013).  Retrieved from http://www.heritage.org/index/country/ireland

[Photograph of euros].  Retrieved from http://blogs.channel4.com/faisal-islam-on-economics/euro-collapse-contingencies-at-davos-is-berlin-listening/16096

[Photograph of dairy cow field].  Retrieved from http://www.eolasmagazine.ie/where-now-for-irish-agriculture

Geopolitical Framework

Ireland hosts a parliamentary democracy. The president serves a term of seven years, as elected by the people, and is considered the guardian of the country's constitution. The Parliament is known as the Oireachtas, and is divided into two houses. The first is the Dáil Éireann, or the House of Representatives, and the latter is the Seanad Éireann, or the Senate. Ireland's government also includes the prime minister, who holds executive power, the deputy prime minister, and the minister of finance.

The Irish Parliament House

The country is divided into borough corporations and city councils. These elected councils are in charge of important policy decisions regarding taxes, bylaws, etc. whereas the city manager handles administrative duties.

In terms of justice, the President appoints all judges, who serve until death or retirement unless removed from office by the Oireachtas. There is a Supreme Court, as well as a High court and several circuit and district courts. In 1972, the country even established a special criminal court for cases involving terrorism. 

Equal gender representation in government is nonexistent in Ireland, but the country has elected two female presidents in the past:  Mary Robinson (1990) and Mary McAleese (1997). There have recently been calls for quotas in the Oireachtas so women can obtain more representation. 

There are four major political parties in Ireland. 

1. Fianna Fáil:  This Republican Party was founded by Eamon de Valera, a former prime minister and president of Ireland. This party is currently in power. It adopts centrist, pro-business policies, but lost some popularity after Ireland's property bubble burst.

2. Fine Gael:  This party of Irish nationalists founded the Irish Free State. This party was in power from 1922-1932. After World War II, the power tended to shift toward the Fianna Fáil. The Fine Gael has been out of power since 1987, but the distinctions between this parry and the Fianna Fáil have become increasingly blurred over the years.

3. The Labour Party:  This party used to be seen as a minor coalition, battling the oppression and hegemony of the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. For the first time in history, however, opinion polls place it ahead of these two major parties.

4. Sinn Féin:  This anti-big business party originally gained its popularity in Northern Ireland, but has begun to set its sights on the Republic for more political power.

Sources:

Boland, F., Edwards, R.W.D., Kay, S., Ranelagh, J. O., Abhinav, V., Albert, M., ... Young, G.  (n.d.).  Ireland.  Encyclopædia Britannica.  Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/293754/Ireland

Crowley, J.  (2010).  A Guide to Ireland's Political Parties.  Retrieved from http://blogs.wsj.com/dispatch/2010/11/23/a-guide-to-irelands-political-parties/

Toscano, J.  (n.d.).  [Photograph of Irish Parliament House].  Retrieved from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Europe/Ireland-POLITICAL-PARTIES.html#b