Problem:
Dual federalism is a concept where state and federal governments have distinct areas of authority and operate independently from one another. This system is often compared to a "layer cake" because the layers of government are separate, with the federal government handling issues like national defense or interstate commerce, while the states manage areas like education and local law enforcement. In the context of Introducing Public Administration, chapter 5 covers the evolution and dynamics of federalism and intergovernmental relations. Dual federalism is significant because it highlights a period in U.S. history when the role of the federal government was more limited, with states retaining significant autonomy. This contrasts with later models like cooperative federalism, where the federal and state governments work more closely together on shared policies and issues. I chose dual federalism for the meme because the image of Kermit looking at his "hooded" self humorously illustrates the tension between sticking to the idea of separate powers versus acknowledging situations where federal intervention might blur the lines, reflecting the complexity of federal-state relationships discussed in the readings. Chapter 5 also discusses how federalism has shifted, moving from dual to cooperative models, especially with the rise of national programs and crises that required joint action, which would tie into this notion of the federal government stepping in.