Final answer:
Herbert Hoover's associationalism is his approach to economic policy, advocating cooperation between businesses and the government with minimal federal regulation, seeking to bolster individualism and economic growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Herbert Hoover's "associationalism" refers to his belief in collaboration between businesses and the government to regulate the economy, as opposed to strict federal oversight. He sought to promote economic growth and prosperity while maintaining American individualism, where success is achieved through hard work and minimal government intervention.
This approach was part of Hoover's policy agenda to continue the economic prosperity of the 1920s and aligns with the postwar "return to normalcy" that his Republican predecessors had started.
However, the ideal of associationalism was put to the test with events such as Black Tuesday and the rise of communal efforts showcased in media like the Andy Hardy series, which reflected a shift from competition to cooperation among Americans during the Great Depression.