Cabinet (from the French cabinet, meaning “box” or “chest”) is the group of people responsible for the day-to-day management of a country or state, and also for advising a head of state on policy. It is a crucial institution in many countries, especially parliamentary democracies, which often lack the checks and balances of a presidential system. Cabinet members are usually highly educated and well-respected.
In countries with a parliamentary system, such as the United Kingdom and Ireland, the Cabinet is collectively the most powerful government body; however, in the United States, which is a presidential system, the president alone exercises executive power, although he or she must consult with his or her ministers. Despite this, the cabinet plays an important role, particularly as originators of legislation; in fact, most new laws begin with ministers and their ministries.
In the US, the Cabinet consists of 26 members: the vice president and the heads of 15 executive departments. All but three members of the Cabinet require Senate confirmation, and they are appointed by the president. They serve at his or her pleasure, and may be replaced or moved (“demoted”) in a cabinet reshuffle for underperforming. Normally, a member of the Cabinet is a part of the same political party as the president. If not, the president must rely on other checks and balances built into a presidential system, such as an impeachment process or legislative action. The president also has wide latitude in selecting his or her department heads and staff, although some departments are historically associated with particular political parties.