Which of the following best describes the term "cooperative federalism"?

Cooperative federalism is characterized by collaboration between federal and state governments to jointly achieve policy goals. This approach reflects a system where responsibilities and powers are shared, rather than strictly divided, allowing both levels of government to work together on various programs and policies.

In practice, cooperative federalism often involves federal funding being provided to states for specific programs, with the expectation that states will implement them according to federal guidelines. This creates a symbiotic relationship where both the federal and state governments play roles in governing different aspects of policy areas, such as education, healthcare, and transportation.

The other answer choices reflect differing concepts of federalism. Strict separation of state and federal governments suggests a dual federalism approach, which is not indicative of the cooperation emphasized in cooperative federalism. Allowing states full independence from federal oversight is contrary to the nature of federalism, which operates on interdependence. Finally, minimizing the federal government’s role contradicts the collaborative spirit of cooperative federalism, as it would imply a shift toward a more hands-off approach by the federal government rather than a partnership.