U.S.

Government compared
to Italys
Luke Mazzaferro

Leader
Italy

United States
President
Sergio Mattarella
Sworn in February 3rd, 2015
7 year term, can run for re-election as
many times as desired.
Any citizen can run for President, and the
only requirement is to be of 50 years of
age.

President
Barack Obama
Sworn in January 20, 2009
4-year term, can run for re-election.
Any person that is a natural born U.S.
citizen and is of 35 years of age can seek
the office of presidency.

Lawmaking Body
Italy

United States
Italian Parliament
Bicameral legislature
315 members

U.S. Congress
Bicameral legislature
535 members

Bill of Rights
Italy

United States
Constitutionally, freedom of speech and
press are guaranteed. However there is a
fair amount of media censorship within
the country.
Freedom of religion is constitutionally
guaranteed.
Citizens do not have a right to keep and
bear arms in Italy.

Constitutionally, freedom of speech and

press are guaranteed.
Freedom of religion is constitutionally
guaranteed.
Citizens do have the right to keep and bear
arms.

Political Parties
Italy

United States
Multi-party system.
The Democratic Party, Five Star
Movement, Forward Italy, New CentreRight, Left Ecology Freedom, Northern
League, Civic Choice, Conservatives and
Reformists, and the Brothers of Italy are to
major political parties comprising Italy.

Two-party system.
The Democratic Party and Republican
Party are the two main political parties
comprising the U.S.

Elections/Voting
Italy

United States
Must be 18 years of age to vote
Presidential elections are held every 7
years.
Both primary and general elections are
held in Italy.

Must be 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen

to vote.
Presidential elections are held every 4
years.
Both primary and general elections are
held in the U.S.

Taxes/Finance
Italy

United States
There is an income tax.
Most important sources of government
revenue are income tax, social security,
corporate tax, and the value added tax.
Spending

Military - $21.5 billion

Education - 4.3% of GDP
Healthcare - 9.2% of GDP

There is an income tax.

Most important sources of government
revenue are income tax, social security,
corporate tax, and excise taxes.
Spending

MIlitary - $596 billion

Education - $154 billion
Healthcare - $ 3 trillion

Law
United States

Italy

Crime Rates - 48.51 total crime rate

Prison Population - 61,721
Punishment - most punishments include
prison time. The death penalty has been
outlawed since 1889.
Court system - three tiers

Crime Rates - 55.84 total crime rate

Prison Population - 2,220,300
Punishment - most punishments include prison
time. The death penalty depends on the state. In
some states it is legal, and in others its outlawed.
Court system - three tiers

Trial courts - district courts; lowest level of

courts.

Inferior courts of general jurisdiction

Intermediate courts that hear appealed

cases from lower courts.

Appellate courts - courts of appeal; midlevel court

Last resort courts that use strict

interpretation of law.

Supreme court - last resort courts that use

strict interpretation of laws.

Current Relations

Currently the United States and Italy have warm and friendly relations with
one another, and it has been that way throughout most of history. The only
time the U.S. and Italy have had rocky relations was between 1941 and
1943 during World War II, where they were belligerents against one
another.