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== Politics ==
== Politics ==
====Republic of Ireland====
The Republic of Ireland uses [[Proportional Representation]] meaning that there are a large number of political parties. The 166 seat Irish Dáil(parliament) sits in Leinster House, Dublin. In recent times the country has been governed mostly by coalitions generally of either Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats or Fine Gael and Labour.
'''Sinn Fein''': (Pronounced Shin Fane, Irish for 'Ourselves Alone') Irelands oldest poltical party, it is closely connected with the IRA, a terrorist/guerrilla movement that sought a United Irish Republic. They have recently embraced a more democratic approach. They are a left-wing socialist party.
'''Fianna Fail''': (Pronounced Fee-Na Fall which is Irish for 'Soldiers of Destiny'). Ireland's main political party, they are a centre-right Conservative party. Traditionally the party of Big Business. Currently the largest party in the ruling coalition. Led by Bertie Ahern, current Taoiseach(Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland.
'''Socialist Party''': A left-wing Trotskyite party. They oppose capitalism and seek a United Socialist Ireland.
'''Fine Gael''': (Pronounced Finna Gale, Irish for the 'United Ireland Party'). Ireland's second largest party. Fine Gael is traditionally socially and fiscally conservative. Under the leadership of Garret FitzGerald in the 1980's, the party embraced social democracy. Today the party likes to characterize itself as a party of the "progressive centre". Led by Enda Kenny.
'''Labour Party''': A social democratic left-wing party, similar to the Labour Party of the British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Pat Rabitte is the leader of the Labour Party.
'''Progressive Democrats''': The second party in the ruling coalition, it is very right wing on economic issues, favouring low-taxation, pro-business policies, but are very liberal on social issues. Michael McDowell is the current leader and Tánaiste(deputy Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland.
'''Green Party''': A left-wing party in favour of environmental protection, renewable energy and a stronger system of social security. Led by Trevor Sargent.
'''Sinn Féin''': (Pronounced Shin Fane, Irish for 'Ourselves') Irelands oldest poltical party, it is closely connected with the IRA, a terrorist/guerrilla movement that sought a United Irish Republic. They have recently embraced a more democratic approach. They are a left-wing socialist party. They organise in all 32 counties of Ireland. Led by Gerry Adams.
'''Socialist Party''': A left-wing Trotskyite party. They oppose capitalism and seek a United Socialist Ireland. Led by Joe Higgins.
The southern 26 counties officially became a Republic in 1949.
The southern 26 counties officially became a Republic in 1949.
====Northern Ireland====
The political parties of Northern Ireland are mostly divided on the national question (whether to remain within the UK or become part of a United Ireland), rather than on a left-right basis. They contest elections for the British Parliament(where Northern Ireland is allocated 18 seats) and the 108 seat Northern Ireland Assembly.
Westminster elections use the First Past the Post system, whereas the Assembly Elections use the Proportional Representation(PR) system.
The major parties are:
'''Democratic Unionist Party'''(DUP): Currently the largest unionist party in Northern Ireland. The DUP is a right-wing, hardline unionist party currently led by its founder, the Reverend Ian RK Paisley. The party has strong links with Rev. Paisley's Free Presbyterian Church.
'''Sinn Féin'''
Currently the largest nationalist party in Northern Ireland, they sit in the Irish parliament and Northern Ireland Assembly, but refuse to take their seats in the British Parliament in Westminster.
'''Ulster Unionist Party'''(UUP): A right-wing party, which had strong links with the British Conservative Party. Currently in decline, with voters turning to the DUP. Currently led by Sir Reg Empey.
'''Social Democratic and Labour Party'''(SDLP): A left-wing nationalist party. Nobel Peace Prize laureate John Hume is a former leader. The SDLP were the largest nationalist party until recently, when they were overtaken by Sinn Féin. Unlike SF, the SDLP have always advocated a non-violent and constitutional approach to achieving a United Ireland. Current leader is Mark Durkan.
'''Alliance Party''': The Alliance party identifies as neither unionist or nationalist and thus receives support from both communities. The current leader is David Ford.
[[Image:Ireland.gif]]
[[Image:Ireland.gif]]