Which of the following best describes the focus of cooperative federalism?

The focus of cooperative federalism is best described by the concept of joint efforts by state and national governments to solve problems. This model, often referred to as "marble cake federalism," emphasizes collaboration between different levels of government rather than a clear-cut division of responsibilities. In cooperative federalism, various policies and programs are developed through the combined efforts of both state and federal authorities, allowing for more flexibility and shared resources to address complex issues such as education, healthcare, and transportation.

This approach contrasts with the idea of strict separation of state and federal powers, which would imply that each level of government operates in isolation with clear boundaries of authority. It also differs from independent actions taken by states without federal input, as cooperative federalism inherently relies on collaboration and input from all levels of government. Lastly, while funding is an important aspect of federalism, the focus on sole funding by state governments for local projects does not capture the essence of cooperative approaches, where federal funds often support state initiatives or programs that require joint action.