What characterizes a surge in cooperative federalism?

A surge in cooperative federalism is characterized by the increased collaboration between state and national governments on policy issues. This framework emphasizes working together across different levels of government to achieve common goals, particularly in areas such as education, transportation, healthcare, and welfare.

Cooperative federalism is marked by a blending of responsibilities, where national and state governments share authority and resources, leading to joint efforts in policy implementation. This can include federal funding to state initiatives, regulatory programs that require both state and federal adherence, and collaborative responses to national crises.

The other choices either highlight a more separated approach to federalism, such as focusing solely on state rights or the separation of powers, or they shift the focus to local governments, which is not the primary characteristic of cooperative federalism. The essence of this concept lies in partnership and interdependence among various levels of government, making the second choice the most accurate representation.