Final answer:
Herbert Hoover's "associationalism" refers to the cooperation between business and government with minimal direct government intervention in the economy, albeit it proved insufficient during the Great Depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
The definition of Herbert Hoover’s “associationalism” aligns closely with the concept of cooperation between business and government as a means to stimulate economic prosperity and manage social issues. This approach encourages the private sector to work in partnership with the government, rather than having the government intervene directly in the economy. Hoover held a deep belief in American individualism, which posited that success comes from hard work and individual effort without significant government interference. Still, he endorsed some collaboration between industry and government to address economic challenges. Despite this, during the Great Depression, his efforts were seen as too little and too late, as they failed to provide the direct relief necessary to alleviate widespread economic despair.