Irish Social Sciences and Education

Social sciences are fields of knowledge that are related to the different aspects of social groups and the human beings in society, related to the material and immaterial expressions, mainly this kind of science deal with the human activities and behavior  not included in natural sciences. In the evolution of the Irish culture it can be highlighted that they developed a very advanced management of their civilization as a culture even if they suffered of many wars and invasions they kept evolving as one of the most beautiful cultures admired by others.
The Economy of Ireland started near the ice age when the first settlers colonized the country starting with agriculture activities around 4500 BC. followed by the Iron knowledge inherited by the Celts by  350 BC. approximately. Between the 12th century to the 70s most of the Irish products traveled to British which were mainly foodstuffs, then at the 20th century the economy of Ireland developed a diversified economy that made it grow, now Ireland have one of the richest economy in the world.

Economy in Ancient Times

Economy in Ancient Times

The first colonists of Ireland survived of fishing, gathering and hunting until farming and ceramics become popular until 4500BC.
Now Ireland has evolved so much from its medieval farming and currently Ireland developed one of the most high performance economies. Between the 1993 and 2000 the economy expanded approximately 80%, an amazing achievement for Ireland. Just in the 2000 the Irish economy grow a 10,7 percent, one of the biggest growing rate of Development and Cooperation Organization by the sixth consecutive year . This process is related to the range of factors including the prudent fiscal and monetary management, direct foreign investment, social agreement on policies which facilitated the payment of wage equity, EU structural Funds, a well-trained growing workforce, high-tech export and strong growth in domestic demand.
Decisions on monetary policy, including interest rates, are made by the Executive Council of the ECB. The head of the Central Bank of Ireland is a board member. Other tasks of the Central Bank of Ireland include acting as government agent and banker. The bank is statutorily responsible for the supervision of most financial institutions in Ireland including banks and buildings.
The industrial sector is prominent in the Irish economy, accounting for the 35 percent of GDP, around 90 percent of exports and 29 percent of total employment. The highest growth rates in Irish industry in recent years have been achieved in the field of high-tech manufacturing, which have been attracted overseas investment through a combination of tax initiatives and grants, as well as the location of Ireland within the European Common Market.
Human Geography
The population of Ireland is estimated at 4,203,200 (july 2009). This gives a density of 59,81 inhabitants per square kilometer. The urban population accounts for 61% of total. Over 40% of the population lives in an area of 100 km around Dublin.
The main ethnic groups: Irish 87%, other white 7%, Asian 1,3%, black 1,1%, mixed 1,1% unspecified 1,6%. There are two official languages, English, which is the main and Irish spoken mainly in the western coastal regions.

Population of Ireland

Population of Ireland

Demography

             Demography is a science whose aim is the study of the human population and their dimension, structure, evolution and general characteristics. According statistics of  the year 2011, the Irish population is estimated at 4,670,976 inhabitants approximately. From this number, 2,332,092 are men, and 2,338,884 are women. The density is about 59,81 per square kilometer, like was mentioned before. Most people lives in the capital of the country, Dublin. However, the Ireland’s density is low for a European country. This is a countrywhere has ended the demographic transition, but the oldest generation are still alive. The aging is low for a birth rate more higher than the rest of Europe, this due to the influence of the Catholic Church in the country.

Pyramid of Ireland population

Pyramid of Ireland population

The distribution by ages are the next: According to statistics of the year 2012, population under 15 years old is 21,1% of total population which male children under 15 are 21,6% of male population and female children under 15 are 20,7% of female population; people 15-64 years old are 67,3% of total population; and population 65 years and over are 11,6% of total population.

Like this country is a developed country, the total median age in the country consists of 34,8 years and life expectancy at birth is 78 years for men and 82,6 years for women. This due to a wide quality health coverage for all population. The birth rate consists of a 14% approximately and fecundity is about a 1,8 child per woman. On the other hand, the mortality rate is very low which is 8% and the infant mortality is 5%.

In Ireland, there is no great contrasts of population density. While the east and southeast are slightly more populated, the zone nearer to Great Britain is the most populated. The center and the west has suffered much migration processes throughout the twentieth century, both external and internal, toward the industrial cities of the east. The north and the northwest has been historically, the least populated area. On the island, people other countries emigrated massively in the nineteenth century when belonged to the British crown, towards the colonies and to the United States. In the mid-nineteenth  century, Ireland was the double of people that at present, but the crisis of the cultivation of potato (1846-1849) caused a great deal of death and a massive emigration. The momentum emigration was maintained during the greater part of the twentieth century because Ireland has always been a relatively poor country within Europe, and the relatively high birth rate.

Evolution of Irish population

Education in Ireland

            The compulsory education is free for Irish people from the six to fifteen years. The tree last years (12 to 15 years old) consist of Junior Cycle of the basic secondary education which is developed in four types of schools: Voluntary secondary schools, professionals, integrated and communitarian schools.

All concludes with a common examination of the State: the Junior Certificare whose approved indispensable for access to university education or vocational training.

Studying a foreign language is optional. French is the most sought among students, followed by German, Spanish and Italian.

The non-compulsory education is also free and consists of a two-year cycle which ends with the consideration of the Secondary School Certificate (Leaving Certificate).

Traditionally, Higher education and non-university includes the university sector, community colleges/technical and technological colleges of education. All are funded by the State or they are self-employes.

Universities and colleges offer different programs which are:

– First cycle: 3 or 4 years, with exceptions for certain disciplines.

– Second cycle: From one to three years.

– Doctorate.

Finally, different aspects of social sciences were analyzed showing us how this little country survived to many invasions and crisis and rises for a good balance of its potential globally. How was appreciated before, Ireland is a country which other countries deserve to follow and imitate in different situations of life. Ireland have demonstrated the capability and prosper of a developed country where people around the world would like to be there enjoying that this country offers.

Sources

– WorldStat info. Revised on October 23th http://es.worldstat.info/Europe/Ireland

– Unknown author. Revised on October 23th http://www.guiadelmundo.org.uy/cd/countries/irl/Indicators.html

– Anthropological Association of Ireland. Revised on October 22th http://www.anthropologyireland.org/

– Miquel, J. El progreso irlandés, con una demografía joven, contrasta con la envejecida Francia. Forum Libertas.com. Revised on October 22th http://www.forumlibertas.com/frontend/forumlibertas/noticia.php?id_noticia=18

– Zaiat, A. El bazar. Página 12. Revised on October 23th http://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/economia/2-121892-2009-03-21.html

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