POLI 270: Midterm IR — Answer Key

30 cards based on your handwritten Midterm IR answer key, with topic context from poli270-my-practice.md. Study prompts and brief concept definitions were added where identifiable; these are not the original exam questions. Items 3, 9, 15, 23, 28, and 29 are marked REVIEW for missing or unclear context. Current-event answers are transcribed from your key, not independently verified.

1. What are the two broad research approaches named in the key?

Qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative research examines meanings and cases; quantitative research uses numerical measures. Key note: the original true/false statement is marked false because there are pros and cons to both.

2. What is an indivisible good?

A good that cannot be divided without destroying its value. Key example: money can be divided, but a $1 bill cannot be usefully split into pieces.

3. REVIEW: What answer is recorded for question 3?

The key shows a question mark. Answer unresolved; consult the original question or class notes.

4. Which German political party is named in the answer key?

AfD — Alternative für Deutschland (Alternative for Germany). The practice document associates this item with German state elections; the specific election and date are not supplied.

5. What is the reversion outcome in bargaining?

The outcome that occurs if no agreement is reached; the alternative against which an actor evaluates a proposed deal.

6. What does tying hands mean as a signal of resolve?

Making a commitment that raises the cost of backing down, such as a public pledge that creates audience costs.

7. What is anarchy in international relations?

The absence of a central authority above states.

8. In which country is Tigray located?

Ethiopia. This is the country recorded in the key for the Tigray item.

9. REVIEW: What does the key say for question 9?

False. The note contrasts realism and constructivism, but the original statement is missing, so its theoretical classification cannot be reconstructed confidently.

10. What is hegemony?

Predominance or leadership by one especially powerful state in the international system.

11. What is mercantilism?

An approach that uses state control of trade and economic activity to build national wealth and power.

12. Which places are named for the Arctic military-permissions item?

Denmark and Greenland, according to the handwritten key. The specific agreement, date, and permissions require the original class question.

13. Which historical peace settlement is named in the key?

Westphalia. It is commonly associated in IR teaching with the development of the sovereign state system.

14. What is resolve?

An actor’s willingness to bear costs to achieve its goals. Distinguish willingness from material capability.

15. REVIEW: What is written for question 15?

“The question.” This entry does not identify a substantive answer without the original prompt.

16. Which country is recorded for the UN General Assembly statement item?

Iran, according to the handwritten key. The speaker, date, and conditional threat are not provided.

17. How does cooperation differ from bargaining?

Cooperation can create joint gains: both sides benefit, or one benefits while the other is no worse off. Bargaining concerns how benefits are divided; a larger share for one side can mean a smaller share for the other.

18. What is brinkmanship?

Deliberately increasing the risk of war to pressure the other side. The key describes moving closer to war and “raising risk.”

19. What two properties define a public good?

Nonexcludability and nonrivalry. The key gives international peace and security, and disease control (WHO), as examples.

20. Which movement is recorded for the Red Sea shipping item?

The Houthi movement, according to the handwritten key. The specific assigned report and date are not supplied.

21. What is the collective action problem?

Actors share an interest in a collective benefit but have incentives to let others bear the costs, so the benefit may be underprovided.

22. What is a multipolar world?

An international system with several major centers of power.

23. REVIEW: What answer is recorded for question 23?

False. The original true/false statement is missing; retrieve it before using this as a substantive study card.

24. Which country is recorded for the EU associate-member proposal item?

Canada, according to the handwritten key. The original proposal, proposer, and date are not supplied.

25. Which IR theory is recorded for question 25, and what does it emphasize?

Liberalism. As a study definition, it emphasizes how institutions, interdependence, and domestic actors can shape state behavior and cooperation. The original question is missing.

26. What is crisis bargaining? How do compellence and deterrence differ?

Negotiations backed by threats of force. The key links this to coercive diplomacy: compellence seeks an action or reversal (for example, withdraw troops), while deterrence seeks to prevent an action (for example, do not invade).

27. Which IR theory is recorded for question 27, and what does it emphasize?

Realism. As a study definition, it emphasizes power, security, and state competition under anarchy. The original question is missing.

28. REVIEW: What answer is recorded for question 28?

False. The original true/false statement is missing; retrieve it before using this as a substantive study card.

29. REVIEW: What answer is recorded for question 29?

False. The original true/false statement is missing; retrieve it before using this as a substantive study card.

30. What is strategic interaction?

Your best choice depends on what you expect others to do, not just your own interests.