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A cabinet in governing is a group of people with the constitutional or legal task to rule a country or state, or advise a head of state, usually from the executive branch.^[1] Their members are known as ministers and secretaries and they are often appointed by the head of state or prime minster.^[2] Cabinets are typically the body responsible for the day-to-day management of the government and response to sudden events, whereas the legislative and judicial branches work in a measured pace, in sessions according to lengthy procedures.

The function of a cabinet varies: in some countries, it is a collegiate decision-making body with collective responsibility, while in others it may function either as a purely advisory body or an assisting institution to a decision-making head of state or head of government.

In some countries, particularly those that use a parliamentary system (e.g., the United Kingdom), the cabinet collectively decides the government's direction, especially in regard to legislation passed by the parliament. In countries with a presidential system, such as the United States, the cabinet does not function as a collective legislative influence; rather, their primary role is as an official advisory council to the head of government. In this way, the president obtains opinions and advice relating to forthcoming decisions.

Legally, under both types of system, the Westminster variant of a parliamentary system and the presidential system, the cabinet "advises" the head of state: the difference is that, in a parliamentary system, the monarch, viceroy, or ceremonial president will almost always follow this advice, whereas, in a presidential system, a president who is also head of government and political leader may depart from the cabinet's advice if they do not agree with it.

In practice, in nearly all parliamentary democracies that do not follow the Westminster system, and in three countries that do (Japan, Ireland, and Israel), very often the cabinet does not "advise" the head of state as they play only a ceremonial role. Instead, it is usually the head of government (usually called "prime minister") who holds all means of power in their hands (e.g. in Germany, Sweden, etc.) and to whom the cabinet reports.

In both presidential and parliamentary systems, cabinet officials administer executive branches, government agencies, or departments. Cabinets are also important originators for legislation. Cabinets and ministers are usually in charge of the preparation of proposed legislation in the ministries before it is passed to the parliament. Thus, often the majority of new legislation actually originates from the cabinet and its ministries.

Terminology

In most governments, members of the cabinet are given the title of "minister", and each holds a different portfolio of government duties ("Minister of Foreign Affairs", "Minister of Health", etc.). In a few governments, as in the case of Mexico, the Philippines, the UK, and the U.S., the title of "secretary" is also used for some cabinet members ("Secretary of Education", or "Secretary of State for X" in the UK or the Netherlands). In many countries (e.g. Germany, Luxembourg, France, etc.), a secretary (of State) is a cabinet member with an inferior rank to a minister. In Finland, a secretary of state is a career official that serves the minister.

While almost all countries have an institution that is recognisably a cabinet, the name of this institution varies. In many countries, (such as Ireland, Sweden, and Vietnam) the term "government" refers to the body of executive ministers; the broader organs of state having another name. Others, such as Spain, Poland, and Cuba, refer to their cabinet as a council of ministers, or the similar council of state. Some German-speaking areas use the term "senate" (such as the Senate of Berlin) for their cabinet, rather than the more common meaning of a legislative upper house. However, a great many countries simply call their top executive body the cabinet, including Israel, the United States, Venezuela, and Singapore, among others.

The supranational European Union uses a different convention: the European Commission refers to its executive cabinet as a "college", with its top public officials referred to as "commissioners", whereas a "European Commission cabinet" is the personal office of a European Commissioner.

The term comes from the Italian gabinetto, which originated from the Latin capanna, which was used in the sixteenth century to denote a closet or small room. From it originated in the 1600s the English word cabinet or cabinett which was used to denote a small room, particularly in the houses of nobility or royalty. Around this time the use of cabinet associated with small councils arose both in England and other locations such as France and Italy. For example, Francis Bacon used the term Cabanet Counselles in 1607.^[3]

Selection of members

In presidential systems such as the United States, members of the cabinet are chosen by the president, and may also have to be confirmed by one or both of the houses of the legislature (in the case of the U.S., it is the Senate that confirms members with a simple majority vote).

Depending on the country, cabinet members must, must not, or may be members of parliament. The following are examples of this variance:

In most presidential systems, cabinet members cannot be sitting legislators at the same time. A legislator who is offered a cabinet position, wishes to accept it, and get confirmed for the position, must resign from their seat.

In the countries utilising the Westminster system, such as the United Kingdom or Australia, cabinet ministers must be appointed from among sitting members of the parliament (MP). In the UK, it can be from either the House of Commons or the House of Lords.

In countries with a strict separation between the executive and legislative branches of government (e.g. Luxembourg, Sweden, Switzerland, and Belgium), cabinet members must not simultaneously be a member of parliament; appointed/nominated cabinet members are required to give up their seat in parliament. In some countries, the outgoing MP may be substituted with another MP that comes from the same party as the former without going through a special or by-election.

The intermediate case is where ministers may be members of parliament, but are not required to be, as in Finland and Spain.

Some countries that adopt a presidential system also place restrictions on who are eligible for nomination to cabinet based on electoral outcomes. For instance in the Philippines, candidates who have lost in any election in the country may not be appointed to cabinet positions within one (1) year of that election.^[4]

The candidate prime minister and/or the president selects the individual ministers to be proposed to the parliament, which may accept or reject the proposed cabinet composition. Unlike in a presidential system, the cabinet in a parliamentary system must not only be confirmed, but enjoy the continuing confidence of the parliament: a parliament can pass a motion of no confidence to remove a government or individual ministers. Often, but not necessarily, these votes are taken across party lines.

In some countries (e.g. the U.S.) attorneys general also sit in the cabinet, while in many others this is strictly prohibited, as the attorneys general are considered to be part of the judicial branch of government. Instead, there is a Minister of Justice, separate from the attorney general. Furthermore, in Sweden, Finland, and Estonia, the cabinet includes a Chancellor of Justice, a civil servant that acts as the legal counsel to the cabinet.

In multi-party systems, the formation of a government may require the support of multiple parties. Thus, a coalition government is formed. Continued cooperation between the participating political parties is necessary for the cabinet to retain the confidence of the parliament. For this, a government platform is negotiated, in order for the participating parties to toe the line and support their cabinet. However, this is not always successful: constituent parties of the coalition or members of parliament can still vote against the government, and the cabinet can break up from internal disagreement or be dismissed by a motion of no confidence.

The size of cabinets varies, although most contain around ten to twenty ministers. Researchers have found an inverse correlation between a country's level of development and cabinet size: on average, the more developed a country is, the smaller is its cabinet.^[5]

Origins of cabinets

A council of advisers of a head of state has been a common feature of government throughout history and around the world. In Ancient Egypt, priests assisted the pharaohs in administrative duties.^[6] In Sparta, the Gerousia, or council of elders, normally sat with the two kings to deliberate on law or to judge cases.^[7] The Maurya Empire under the emperor Ashoka was ruled by a royal council.^[8] In Kievan Rus', the prince was obliged to accept the advice and receive the approval of the duma, or council, which was composed of boyars, or nobility. An inner circle of a few members of the duma formed a cabinet to attend and advise the prince constantly.^[9] The ruins of Chichen Itza and Mayapan in the Maya civilisation suggest that political authority was held by a supreme council of elite lords.^[10] In the Songhai Empire, the central government was composed of the top office holders of the imperial council.^[11] In the Oyo Empire, the Oyo Mesi, or royal council, were members of the aristocracy who constrained the power of the Alaafin, or king.^[12] During the Qing dynasty, the highest decision-making body was the Deliberative Council.^[13]

In the United Kingdom and its colonies, cabinets began as smaller sub-groups of the English Privy Council. The term comes from the name for a relatively small and private room used as a study or retreat. Phrases such as "cabinet counsel", meaning advice given in private to the monarch, occur from the late 16th century, and, given the non-standardised spelling of the day, it is often hard to distinguish whether "council" or "counsel" is meant.^[14]

The Oxford English Dictionary credits Francis Bacon in his Essays (1605) with the first use of "Cabinet council", where it is described as a foreign habit, of which he disapproves: "For which inconveniences, the doctrine of Italy, and practice of France, in some kings' times, hath introduced cabinet counsels; a remedy worse than the disease".^[15]

Charles I began a formal "Cabinet Council" from his accession in 1625, as his Privy Council, or "private council", was evidently not private enough,^{[citation needed]} and the first recorded use of "cabinet" by itself for such a body comes from 1644, and is again hostile and associates the term with dubious foreign practices.^[14] The process has repeated itself in recent times, as leaders have felt the need to have a Kitchen Cabinet or "sofa government".^[16]

Parliamentary cabinets

Under the Westminster system, members of the cabinet are Ministers of the Crown who are collectively responsible for all government policy. All ministers, whether senior and in the cabinet or junior ministers, must publicly support the policy of the government, regardless of any private reservations. Although, in theory, all cabinet decisions are taken collectively by the cabinet, in practice many decisions are delegated to the various sub-committees of the cabinet, which report to the full cabinet on their findings and recommendations. As these recommendations have already been agreed upon by those in the cabinet who hold affected ministerial portfolios, the recommendations are usually agreed to by the full cabinet with little further discussion. The cabinet may also provide ideas on/if new laws were established, and what they include. Cabinet deliberations are secret and documents dealt with in cabinet are confidential. Most of the documentation associated with cabinet deliberations will only be publicly released a considerable period after the particular cabinet disbands, depending on provisions of a nation's freedom of information legislation.

In theory the prime minister or premier is first among equals. However, the prime minister is ultimately the person from whom the head of state will take advice (by constitutional convention) on the exercise of executive power, which may include the powers to declare war, use nuclear weapons, and appoint cabinet members. This results in the situation where the cabinet is de facto appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the prime minister. Thus, the cabinet is often strongly subordinate to the prime minister as they can be replaced at any time, or can be moved ("demoted") to a different portfolio in a cabinet reshuffle for "underperforming".

This position in relation to the executive power means that, in practice, any spreading of responsibility for the overall direction of the government has usually been done as a matter of preference by the prime minister – either because they are unpopular with their backbenchers, or because they believe that the cabinet should collectively decide things.

A shadow cabinet consists of the leading members, or frontbenchers, of an opposition party, who generally hold critic portfolios "shadowing" cabinet ministers, questioning their decisions and proposing policy alternatives. In some countries, the shadow ministers are referred to as spokespersons.

The Westminster cabinet system is the foundation of cabinets as they are known at the federal and provincial (or state) jurisdictions of Australia, Canada, India, Pakistan, South Africa, and other Commonwealth of Nations countries whose parliamentary model is closely based on that of the United Kingdom.

Cabinet of the United States

Under the doctrine of separation of powers in the United States, a cabinet under a presidential system of government is part of the executive branch. In addition to administering their respective segments of the executive branch, cabinet members are responsible for advising the head of government on areas within their purview.

They are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the head of government and are therefore strongly subordinate to the president as they can be replaced at any time. Normally, since they are appointed by the president, they are members of the same political party, but the executive is free to select anyone, including opposition party members, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Normally, the legislature or a segment thereof must confirm the appointment of a cabinet member; this is but one of the many checks and balances built into a presidential system. The legislature may also remove a cabinet member through a usually difficult impeachment process.

In the cabinet, members do not serve to influence legislative policy to the degree found in a Westminster system; however, each member wields significant influence in matters relating to their executive department. Since the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the President of the United States has acted most often through his own executive office or the National Security Council rather than through the cabinet as was the case in earlier administrations.

Although the term "Secretary" is usually used to name the most senior official of a government department, some departments have different titles to name such officials. For instance, the Department of Justice uses the term "Attorney General" instead of "Justice Secretary", but the Attorney General is nonetheless a cabinet-level position.

Following the federal government's model, state executive branches are also organised into executive departments headed by cabinet secretaries. The government of California calls these departments "agencies" or informally "superagencies", while the government of Kentucky styles them as "cabinets".

Communist system

Communist states can be ruled de facto by the politburo, such as the Politburo of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. This is an organ of the communist party and not a state organ, but due to one-party rule, the state and its cabinet (e.g. Government of the Soviet Union) are in practice subordinate to the politburo. Technically, a politburo is overseen and its members selected by the central committee, but in practice it was often the other way around: powerful members of the politburo would ensure their support in the central committee through patronage. In China, political power has been further centralised into the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

References

^ "Cabinet | Political Definition, Government, Function, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 6 July 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
^ The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition, at Wordnik.com
^ Creighton, Mandell; Winsor, Justin; Gardiner, Samuel Rawson; Poole, Reginald Lane; Edwards, Sir John Goronwy (1923). The English Historical Review. Oxford University Press.
^ "THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES – ARTICLE IX". Official Gazette (Philippines). Retrieved 25 October 2022.
^ Castelvecchi, Davide (9 May 2008). "The Undeciders: More decision-makers bring less efficiency". ScienceNews. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Alt URL
^ Middleton, John, ed. (2015). World Monarchies and Dynasties: Volume 1–3. Routledge. p. 214. ISBN 978-0-7656-8050-1. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
^ Kennell, Nigel M. (2010). Spartans: A New History. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-4051-2999-2. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
^ Roberts, J. M.; Westad, Odd Arne (2013). The History of the World (6th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 302. ISBN 978-0-19-993676-2. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
^ Wren, Melvin C.; Stults, Taylor (2008). The Course of Russian History (5th ed.). Eugene, Oregon: Wipf & Stock. p. 37. ISBN 978-1-60608-371-0. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
^ Sharer, Robert J.; Traxler, Loa P. (2006). The Ancient Maya (6th ed.). Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. p. 580. ISBN 0-8047-4816-0. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
^ Currey, James (1997). Ki-Zerbo, Joseph; Niane, Djibril Tamsir (eds.). General History of Africa: IV Africa from the Twelfth to the Sixteenth Century (Abridged ed.). Berkeley, California: University of California Press. p. 81. ISBN 0-520-06699-5. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
^ Stilwel, Sean (2014). Slavery and Slaving in African History: New Approaches to African History. Cambridge University Press. p. 116. ISBN 978-1-107-00134-3. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
^ Rawski (2011). "2. The Qing empire during the Qianlong reign". In Millward, James A.; Dunnell, Ruth W.; Elliott, Mark C.; Forêt, Philippe (eds.). New Qing Imperial History: The making of Inner Asian empire at Qing Chengde. New York, NY: RoutledgeCurzon. ISBN 978-0-415-51118-6. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
^ ^a ^b Oxford English Dictionary: Cabinet
^ Bacon, Essay "On Counsel"
^ UK | UK Politics | Clarke targets 'sofa-style' Blair. BBC News (2007-03-27). Retrieved on 2013-08-24.

External links

WhoGov dataset on cabinet members in all countries with a greater population than 400,000 for the period 1966–2021.

[1] "Cabinet | Political Definition, Government, Function, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 6 July 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.

[2] The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition, at Wordnik.com

[3] Creighton, Mandell; Winsor, Justin; Gardiner, Samuel Rawson; Poole, Reginald Lane; Edwards, Sir John Goronwy (1923). The English Historical Review. Oxford University Press.

[4] "THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES – ARTICLE IX". Official Gazette (Philippines). Retrieved 25 October 2022.

[5] Castelvecchi, Davide (9 May 2008). "The Undeciders: More decision-makers bring less efficiency". ScienceNews. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Alt URL

[6] Middleton, John, ed. (2015). World Monarchies and Dynasties: Volume 1–3. Routledge. p. 214. ISBN 978-0-7656-8050-1. Retrieved 25 November 2020.

[7] Kennell, Nigel M. (2010). Spartans: A New History. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-4051-2999-2. Retrieved 25 November 2020.

[8] Roberts, J. M.; Westad, Odd Arne (2013). The History of the World (6th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 302. ISBN 978-0-19-993676-2. Retrieved 25 November 2020.

[9] Wren, Melvin C.; Stults, Taylor (2008). The Course of Russian History (5th ed.). Eugene, Oregon: Wipf & Stock. p. 37. ISBN 978-1-60608-371-0. Retrieved 25 November 2020.

[10] Sharer, Robert J.; Traxler, Loa P. (2006). The Ancient Maya (6th ed.). Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. p. 580. ISBN 0-8047-4816-0. Retrieved 25 November 2020.

[11] Currey, James (1997). Ki-Zerbo, Joseph; Niane, Djibril Tamsir (eds.). General History of Africa: IV Africa from the Twelfth to the Sixteenth Century (Abridged ed.). Berkeley, California: University of California Press. p. 81. ISBN 0-520-06699-5. Retrieved 25 November 2020.

[12] Stilwel, Sean (2014). Slavery and Slaving in African History: New Approaches to African History. Cambridge University Press. p. 116. ISBN 978-1-107-00134-3. Retrieved 25 November 2020.

[13] Rawski (2011). "2. The Qing empire during the Qianlong reign". In Millward, James A.; Dunnell, Ruth W.; Elliott, Mark C.; Forêt, Philippe (eds.). New Qing Imperial History: The making of Inner Asian empire at Qing Chengde. New York, NY: RoutledgeCurzon. ISBN 978-0-415-51118-6. Retrieved 25 November 2020.

[OED_Cabinet-14] Oxford English Dictionary: Cabinet

[15] Bacon, Essay "On Counsel"

[16] UK | UK Politics | Clarke targets 'sofa-style' Blair. BBC News (2007-03-27). Retrieved on 2013-08-24.

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@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 {{Redirect|Cabinet of Ministers|the Ukrainian executive council|Government of Ukraine{{!}}Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine|the Soviet executive council|Cabinet of Ministers (Soviet Union)}}
 {{Other uses|Cabinet (disambiguation)}}
+{{refimprove|date=June 2024}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
 {{Politics}}
 {{Executive}}
+[[File:The Cabinet table.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|The cabinet table in the Cabinet Room at [[10 Downing Street]], official residence and office of the [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|British Prime Minister]] in [[London]]]]
+[[File:Episcopal Summer Palace in Bratislava, in 2018.jpg|thumb|[[Episcopal Summer Palace, Bratislava|Episcopal Summer Palace]], the seat of the [[government of Slovakia]] in [[Bratislava]]]]
+A '''cabinet''' in governing is a group of people with the constitutional or legal task to rule a country or state, or advise a head of state, usually from the [[Executive (government)|executive branch]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-06 |title=Cabinet {{!}} Political Definition, Government, Function, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/cabinet-government |access-date=2024-07-07 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> Their members are known as [[Minister (government)|minister]]s and  [[secretary (title)|secretaries]] and they are often appointed by the head of state or prime minster.<ref>The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition, at [[Wordnik|Wordnik.com]]</ref> Cabinets are typically the body responsible for the day-to-day management of the government and response to sudden events, whereas the legislative and judicial branches work in a measured pace, in sessions according to lengthy procedures.
+The function of a cabinet varies: in some countries, it is a collegiate decision-making body with [[Cabinet collective responsibility|collective responsibility]], while in others it may function either as a purely advisory body or an assisting institution to a decision-making [[head of state]] or [[head of government]].
-[[File:The Cabinet table.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|The Cabinet table in the [[United Kingdom]].]]
-[[File:Bratislava, Letný arcibiskupský palác, Slovensko.jpg|upright=1.25|thumb|Episcopal Summer Palace, the seat of the [[government of Slovakia]] in Bratislava.]]
+In some countries, particularly those that use a [[parliamentary system]] (e.g., the [[United Kingdom]]), the cabinet collectively decides the government's direction, especially in regard to legislation passed by the [[parliament]]. In countries with a [[presidential system]], such as the [[United States]], the cabinet does not function as a collective legislative influence; rather, their primary role is as an official advisory council to the head of government. In this way, the [[President (government title)|president]] obtains opinions and advice relating to forthcoming decisions.
-A '''cabinet''' is a body of high-ranking [[State (polity)|state]] officials, typically consisting of the [[Executive (government)|executive branch]]'s top leaders. Members of a cabinet are usually called cabinet [[Minister (government)|minister]]s or [[secretary (title)|secretaries]]. The function of a cabinet varies: in some countries, it is a collegiate decision-making body with [[Cabinet collective responsibility|collective responsibility]], while in others it may function either as a purely advisory body or an assisting institution to a decision-making [[head of state]] or [[head of government]]. Cabinets are typically the body responsible for the day-to-day management of the government and response to sudden events, whereas the legislative and judicial branches work in a measured pace, in sessions according to lengthy procedures.
-In some countries, particularly those that use a [[parliamentary system]] (e.g., the [[UK]]), the cabinet collectively decides the government's direction, especially in regard to legislation passed by the [[parliament]]. In countries with a [[presidential system]], such as the [[United States]], the cabinet does not function as a collective legislative influence; rather, their primary role is as an official advisory council to the [[head of government]]. In this way, the [[President (government title)|president]] obtains opinions and advice relating to forthcoming decisions. Legally, under both types of system, the [[Westminster system|Westminster variant]] of a parliamentary system and the presidential system, the cabinet "advises" the head of state: the difference is that, in a parliamentary system, the monarch, viceroy or ceremonial president will almost always follow this advice, whereas, in a presidential system, a president who is also head of government and political leader may depart from the Cabinet's advice if they do not agree with it. In practice, in nearly all parliamentary democracies that do not follow the Westminster system, and in three countries that do ([[Japan]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], and [[Israel]]), very often the cabinet does not "advise" the head of state as they play only a ceremonial role. Instead, it is usually the head of government (usually called ''[[prime minister]]'') who holds all means of power in their hands (e.g. in Germany, Sweden, etc.) and to whom the cabinet reports.
+Legally, under both types of system, the [[Westminster system|Westminster variant]] of a parliamentary system and the presidential system, the cabinet "advises" the head of state: the difference is that, in a parliamentary system, the [[monarch]], [[viceroy]], or ceremonial president will almost always follow this advice, whereas, in a presidential system, a president who is also head of government and political leader may depart from the cabinet's advice if they do not agree with it.
+In practice, in nearly all parliamentary democracies that do not follow the Westminster system, and in three countries that do ([[Japan]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], and [[Israel]]), very often the cabinet does not "advise" the head of state as they play only a ceremonial role. Instead, it is usually the head of government (usually called "[[prime minister]]") who holds all means of power in their hands (e.g. in [[Germany]], [[Sweden]], etc.) and to whom the cabinet reports.
-In both presidential and parliamentary systems, cabinet officials administer executive branches, government agencies, or departments. Cabinets are also important originators for legislation. Cabinets and ministers are usually in charge of the preparation of proposed legislation in the ministries before it is passed to the parliament. Thus, often the majority of new legislation actually originates from the cabinet and its ministries.
+In both presidential and parliamentary systems, cabinet officials administer executive branches, government agencies, or departments. Cabinets are also important originators for legislation. Cabinets and ministers are usually in charge of the preparation of proposed legislation in the ministries before it is passed to the [[parliament]]. Thus, often the majority of new legislation actually originates from the cabinet and its ministries.
-== Terminology ==
+==Terminology==
 {{More citations needed section|date=November 2020}}
-In most governments, members of the cabinet are given the title of [[Minister (government)|Minister]], and each holds a different [[Portfolio (government)|portfolio]] of government duties ("Minister of Foreign Affairs", "Minister of Health", etc.). In a few governments, as in the case of [[Mexico]], the [[Philippines]], the [[United Kingdom]], and United States, the title of [[Secretary (title)|Secretary]] is also used for some cabinet members ("Secretary of Education", or "Secretary of State for X" in the UK). In many countries (e.g. Germany, Luxembourg, France, etc.), a Secretary (of State) is a cabinet member with an inferior rank to a Minister. In Finland, a Secretary of State is a career official that serves the Minister. In some countries, the cabinet is known by names such as "Council of Ministers", "Government Council" or "Council of State", or by lesser known names such as "Federal Council" (in Switzerland), "Inner Council" or "High Council". These countries may differ in the way that the cabinet is used or established.
+In most governments, members of the cabinet are given the title of "minister", and each holds a different [[Ministry (government department)|portfolio]] of government duties ("Minister of Foreign Affairs", "Minister of Health", etc.). In a few governments, as in the case of [[Mexico]], the [[Philippines]], the UK, and the U.S., the title of "[[Secretary (title)|secretary]]" is also used for some cabinet members ("Secretary of Education", or "Secretary of State for X" in the UK or the [[Netherlands]]). In many countries (e.g. Germany, [[Luxembourg]], [[France]], etc.), a secretary (of State) is a cabinet member with an inferior rank to a minister. In [[Finland]], a secretary of state is a career official that serves the minister.
+While almost all countries have an institution that is recognisably a cabinet, the name of this institution varies. In many countries, (such as [[Government of Ireland|Ireland]], [[Government of Sweden|Sweden]], and [[Government of Vietnam|Vietnam]]) the term "government" refers to the body of executive ministers; the broader organs of state having another name. Others, such as [[Council of Ministers (Spain)|Spain]], [[Council of Ministers (Poland)|Poland]], and [[Council of Ministers (Cuba)|Cuba]], refer to their cabinet as a [[Council of Ministers|council of ministers]], or the similar [[council of state]]. Some German-speaking areas use the term "[[senate]]" (such as the [[Senate of Berlin]]) for their cabinet, rather than the more common meaning of a legislative upper house. However, a great many countries simply call their top executive body the cabinet, including [[Cabinet of Israel|Israel]], [[Cabinet of the United States|the United States]], [[Cabinet of Venezuela|Venezuela]], and [[Cabinet of Singapore|Singapore]], among others.
 The [[Supranational union|supranational]] [[European Union]] uses a different convention: the [[European Commission]] refers to its executive cabinet as a "[[European Commission#College|college]]", with its top public officials referred to as "[[European Commissioner|commissioners]]", whereas a "[[Cabinet (European Commission)|European Commission cabinet]]" is the personal office of a European Commissioner.
-The term comes from the Italian ''gabinetto'', which originated from the Latin ''capanna'', which was used in the sixteenth century to denote a closet or small room. From it originated in the 1600s the English word cabinet or cabinett which was used to denote a small room, particularly in the houses of nobility or royalty. Around this time the use of cabinet associated with small councils arose both in England and other locations such as France and Italy. For example, Francis Bacon used the term ''Cabanet Counselles'' in 1607.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Creighton |first1=Mandell |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bhspAAAAYAAJ |title=The English Historical Review |last2=Winsor |first2=Justin |last3=Gardiner |first3=Samuel Rawson |last4=Poole |first4=Reginald Lane |last5=Edwards |first5=Sir John Goronwy |date=1923 |publisher=Oxford University Press |language=en}}</ref>
+The term comes from the Italian ''gabinetto'', which originated from the Latin ''capanna'', which was used in the sixteenth century to denote a closet or small room. From it originated in the 1600s the English word cabinet or cabinett which was used to denote a small room, particularly in the houses of nobility or royalty. Around this time the use of cabinet associated with small councils arose both in [[England]] and other locations such as France and Italy. For example, [[Francis Bacon]] used the term ''Cabanet Counselles'' in 1607.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Creighton |first1=Mandell |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bhspAAAAYAAJ |title=The English Historical Review |last2=Winsor |first2=Justin |last3=Gardiner |first3=Samuel Rawson |last4=Poole |first4=Reginald Lane |last5=Edwards |first5=Sir John Goronwy |date=1923 |publisher=Oxford University Press |language=en}}</ref>
-== Selection of members ==
+==Selection of members==
+In presidential systems such as the United States, members of the cabinet are chosen by the president, and may also have to be confirmed by one or both of the houses of the legislature (in the case of the U.S., it is the [[United States Senate|Senate]] that confirms members with a simple majority vote).
-[[File:Vanhasen II hallitus.JPG|thumb|[[Vanhanen II Cabinet]] in a session of [[Parliament of Finland|Finnish Parliament]] in 2007.]]
-In presidential systems such as the United States, members of the cabinet are chosen by the president, and may also have to be confirmed by one or both of the houses of the legislature (in the case of the US, it is the Senate that confirms members with a simple majority vote).
-Depending on the country, cabinet members must, must not, or may be members of [[Parliament#:~:text=In modern politics and history,a legislative body of government.&text=The term is similar to,a monarch as the head.|parliament]]. The following are examples of this variance:
+Depending on the country, cabinet members must, must not, or may be members of parliament. The following are examples of this variance:
-*In most presidential systems, cabinet members cannot be sitting legislators at the same time. Legislators who are offered cabinet positions, wish to accept it, and get confirmed for the position, must resign from their seat.
+* In most presidential systems, cabinet members cannot be sitting legislators at the same time. A legislator who is offered a cabinet position, wishes to accept it, and get confirmed for the position, must resign from their seat.
-* In the countries utilizing the [[Westminster system]], such as the [[Politics of the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]] or [[Politics of Australia |Australia]], cabinet ministers '''must''' be appointed from among sitting members of the parliament (MP). In the UK, it can either be from the House of Commons or House of Lords.
+* In the countries utilising the Westminster system, such as the [[Politics of the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]] or [[Politics of Australia |Australia]], cabinet ministers '''must''' be appointed from among sitting members of the parliament (MP). In the UK, it can be from either the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] or the [[House of Lords]].
-* In countries with a strict separation between the executive and legislative branches of government (e.g. Luxembourg, Sweden, Switzerland and Belgium) cabinet members '''must not''' simultaneously be a member of parliament; appointed/nominated cabinet members are required to give up their seat in parliament. In some countries, the outgoing MP may be substituted with another MP that comes from the same party as the former without going through a special or by-election.
+* In countries with a strict separation between the executive and legislative branches of government (e.g. Luxembourg, Sweden, [[Federal Council (Switzerland)|Switzerland]], and [[Federal Government of Belgium|Belgium]]), cabinet members '''must not''' simultaneously be a member of parliament; appointed/nominated cabinet members are required to give up their seat in parliament. In some countries, the outgoing MP may be substituted with another MP that comes from the same party as the former without going through a special or by-election.
 * The intermediate case is where ministers '''may''' be members of parliament, but are not required to be, as in [[Politics of Finland |Finland]] and [[Politics of Spain |Spain]].
@@ Line 40: / Line 45: @@
 Some countries that adopt a presidential system also place restrictions on who are eligible for nomination to cabinet based on electoral outcomes. For instance in the Philippines, candidates who have lost in any election in the country may not be appointed to cabinet positions within one (1) year of that election.<ref>{{cite web |title=THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES – ARTICLE IX |url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/the-1987-constitution-of-the-republic-of-the-philippines/the-1987-constitution-of-the-republic-of-the-philippines-article-ix/ |website=Official Gazette (Philippines) |access-date=25 October 2022}}</ref>
-The candidate [[prime minister]] and/or the president selects the individual ministers to be proposed to the parliament, which may accept or reject the proposed cabinet composition. Unlike in a presidential system, the cabinet in a parliamentary system must not only be confirmed, but enjoy the continuing confidence of the parliament: a parliament can pass a [[motion of no confidence]] to remove a government or individual ministers. Often, but not necessarily, these votes are taken across party lines.
+The candidate prime minister and/or the president selects the individual ministers to be proposed to the parliament, which may accept or reject the proposed cabinet composition. Unlike in a presidential system, the cabinet in a parliamentary system must not only be confirmed, but enjoy the continuing confidence of the parliament: a parliament can pass a [[motion of no confidence]] to remove a government or individual ministers. Often, but not necessarily, these votes are taken across party lines.
-In some countries (e.g. the US) [[Attorney general|attorneys general]] also sit in the cabinet, while in many others this is strictly prohibited as the attorneys general are considered to be part of the judicial branch of government. Instead, there is a [[minister of justice]], separate from the attorney general. Furthermore, in Sweden, Finland and Estonia, the cabinet includes a [[Chancellor of Justice]], a civil servant that acts as the legal counsel to the cabinet.
+In some countries (e.g. the U.S.) [[Attorney general|attorneys general]] also sit in the cabinet, while in many others this is strictly prohibited, as the attorneys general are considered to be part of the [[Judiciary|judicial branch]] of government. Instead, there is a [[Ministry of justice|Minister of Justice]], separate from the attorney general. Furthermore, in Sweden, Finland, and [[Estonia]], the cabinet includes a [[Chancellor of Justice]], a civil servant that acts as the legal counsel to the cabinet.
-In [[multi-party system]]s, the formation of a government may require the support of multiple parties. Thus, a [[coalition government]] is formed. Continued cooperation between the participating political parties is necessary for the cabinet to retain the confidence of the parliament. For this, a [[government platform]] is negotiated, in order for the participating parties to toe the line and support their cabinet. However, this is not always successful: constituent parties of the coalition or members of parliament can still vote against the government, and the cabinet can break up from internal disagreement or be dismissed by a [[motion of no confidence]].
+In [[multi-party system]]s, the formation of a government may require the support of multiple parties. Thus, a [[coalition government]] is formed. Continued cooperation between the participating political parties is necessary for the cabinet to retain the confidence of the parliament. For this, a government platform is negotiated, in order for the participating parties to toe the line and support their cabinet. However, this is not always successful: constituent parties of the coalition or members of parliament can still vote against the government, and the cabinet can break up from internal disagreement or be dismissed by a motion of no confidence.
 The size of cabinets varies, although most contain around ten to twenty ministers. Researchers have found an inverse correlation between a country's level of [[International development|development]] and cabinet size: on average, the more developed a country is, the smaller is its cabinet.<ref>{{cite news | title = The Undeciders: More decision-makers bring less efficiency |first = Davide |last = Castelvecchi | date = May 9, 2008 | publisher=[[ScienceNews]] | url = http://sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/31927/title/The_undeciders_ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080513154816/http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/31927/title/The_undeciders_ | archive-date = May 13, 2008 | url-status=dead }} [https://www.malaysia-today.net/2008/05/12/the-undeciders-more-decision-makers-bring-less-efficiency/ Alt URL]</ref>
-== Origins of cabinets ==
+==Origins of cabinets==
-[[File:Victoria Privy Council (Wilke).jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|[[Queen Victoria]] convened her first [[Privy Council]] on the day of her [[Accession Day|accession]] in 1837.]]
+[[File:Victoria Privy Council (Wilke).jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|[[Queen Victoria]] convening her first [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|Privy Council]] on the day of her accession in 1837]]
+A council of advisers of a head of state has been a common feature of government throughout history and around the world. In [[Ancient Egypt]], priests assisted the pharaohs in administrative duties.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Middleton |editor1-first=John |title=World Monarchies and Dynasties: Volume 1–3 |date=2015 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-7656-8050-1 |page=214 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R63ACQAAQBAJ&dq=ancient+egypt+royal+council+history&pg=PA214 |access-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref> In [[Sparta]], the [[Gerousia]], or council of elders, normally sat with the two kings to deliberate on law or to judge cases.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kennell |first1=Nigel M. |title=Spartans: A New History |date=2010 |publisher=[[Wiley-Blackwell]] |isbn=978-1-4051-2999-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2YaGXk21zCkC&dq=sparta+gerousia+king&pg=PT94 |access-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref> The [[Maurya Empire]] under the emperor [[Ashoka]] was ruled by a royal council.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Roberts |first1=J. M. |last2=Westad |first2=Odd Arne |title=The History of the World |date=2013 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=New York, NY |isbn=978-0-19-993676-2 |page=302 |edition=6th |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A2cfZkU5aQgC&dq=maurya+royal+council&pg=PA302 |access-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref> In [[Kievan Rus']], the prince was obliged to accept the advice and receive the approval of the [[duma]], or council, which was composed of [[Boyar|boyars]], or nobility. An inner circle of a few members of the duma formed a cabinet to attend and advise the prince constantly.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wren |first1=Melvin C. |last2=Stults |first2=Taylor |title=The Course of Russian History |date=2008 |publisher=[[Wipf & Stock]] |location=Eugene, Oregon |isbn=978-1-60608-371-0 |page=37 |edition=5th |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2PVLAwAAQBAJ&dq=cabinet+boyar+duma&pg=PA37 |access-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref> The ruins of [[Chichen Itza]] and [[Mayapan]] in the [[Maya civilization|Maya civilisation]] suggest that political authority was held by a supreme council of elite lords.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sharer |first1=Robert J. |last2=Traxler |first2=Loa P. |title=The Ancient Maya |date=2006 |publisher=Stanford University Press |location=Stanford, California |isbn=0-8047-4816-0 |page=580 |edition=6th |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YdgXZao23l0C&dq=maya+royal+council+history&pg=PA580 |access-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref> In the [[Songhai Empire]], the central government was composed of the top office holders of the imperial council.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Currey |first1=James |editor1-last=Ki-Zerbo |editor1-first=Joseph |editor2-last=Niane |editor2-first=Djibril Tamsir |title=General History of Africa: IV Africa from the Twelfth to the Sixteenth Century |date=1997 |publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley, California |isbn=0-520-06699-5 |page=81 |edition=Abridged |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HwV2a-lPB70C&dq=africa+imperial+council+history&pg=PA81 |access-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref> In the [[Oyo Empire]], the [[Oyo Mesi]], or royal council, were members of the aristocracy who constrained the power of the [[Alaafin]], or king.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Stilwel |first1=Sean |title=Slavery and Slaving in African History: New Approaches to African History |date=2014 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-107-00134-3 |page=116 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6B6mAwAAQBAJ&dq=africa+royal+council+history&pg=PA116 |access-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref> During the [[Qing dynasty]], the highest decision-making body was the [[Deliberative Council of Princes and Ministers|Deliberative Council]].<ref>{{cite book |author1=Rawski |author1-link=Evelyn S. |editor1-last=Millward |editor1-first=James A. |editor2-last=Dunnell |editor2-first=Ruth W. |editor3-last=Elliott |editor3-first=Mark C. |editor4-last=Forêt |editor4-first=Philippe |title=New Qing Imperial History: The making of Inner Asian empire at Qing Chengde |date=2011 |publisher=RoutledgeCurzon |location=New York, NY |isbn=978-0-415-51118-6 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bx_RFTbHwjYC&dq=ming+imperial+council+history&pg=PP29 |access-date=November 25, 2020 |chapter=2. The Qing empire during the Qianlong reign}}</ref>
+In the United Kingdom and its colonies, cabinets began as smaller sub-groups of the [[Privy Council of England|English Privy Council]]. The term comes from the name for a [[Cabinet (room)|relatively small and private room]] used as a study or retreat. Phrases such as "cabinet counsel", meaning advice given in private to the monarch, occur from the late 16th century, and, given the non-standardised spelling of the day, it is often hard to distinguish whether "council" or "counsel" is meant.<ref name="OED Cabinet">''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'': Cabinet</ref>
-A      council of advisors of a head of state has been a common feature of government throughout history and around the world. In [[Ancient Egypt]], priests assisted the pharaohs in administrative duties.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Middleton |editor1-first=John |title=World Monarchies and Dynasties: Volume 1–3 |date=2015 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-7656-8050-1 |page=214 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R63ACQAAQBAJ&dq=ancient+egypt+royal+council+history&pg=PA214 |access-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref> In [[Sparta]], the [[Gerousia]], or council of elders, normally sat with the two kings to deliberate on law or to judge cases.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kennell |first1=Nigel M. |title=Spartans: A New History |date=2010 |publisher=[[Wiley-Blackwell]] |isbn=978-1-4051-2999-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2YaGXk21zCkC&dq=sparta+gerousia+king&pg=PT94 |access-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref> The [[Maurya Empire]] under the emperor [[Ashoka]] was ruled by a royal council.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Roberts |first1=J. M. |last2=Westad |first2=Odd Arne |title=The History of the World |date=2013 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=New York, NY |isbn=978-0-19-993676-2 |page=302 |edition=6th |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A2cfZkU5aQgC&dq=maurya+royal+council&pg=PA302 |access-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref> In [[Kievan Rus']], the prince was obliged to accept the advice and receive the approval of the [[duma]], or council, which was composed of [[boyars]], or nobility. An inner circle of a few members of the duma formed a cabinet to attend and advise the prince constantly.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wren |first1=Melvin C. |last2=Stults |first2=Taylor |title=The Course of Russian History |date=2008 |publisher=[[Wipf & Stock]] |location=Eugene, Oregon |isbn=978-1-60608-371-0 |page=37 |edition=5th |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2PVLAwAAQBAJ&dq=cabinet+boyar+duma&pg=PA37 |access-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref> The ruins of [[Chichen Itza]] and [[Mayapan]] in the [[Maya civilization]] suggest that political authority was held by a supreme council of elite lords.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sharer |first1=Robert J. |last2=Traxler |first2=Loa P. |title=The Ancient Maya |date=2006 |publisher=Stanford University Press |location=Stanford, California |isbn=0-8047-4816-0 |page=580 |edition=6th |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YdgXZao23l0C&dq=maya+royal+council+history&pg=PA580 |access-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref> In the [[Songhai Empire]], the central government was composed of the top office holders of the imperial council.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Currey |first1=James |editor1-last=Ki-Zerbo |editor1-first=Joseph |editor2-last=Niane |editor2-first=Djibril Tamsir |title=General History of Africa: IV Africa from the Twelfth to the Sixteenth Century |date=1997 |publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley, California |isbn=0-520-06699-5 |page=81 |edition=Abridged |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HwV2a-lPB70C&dq=africa+imperial+council+history&pg=PA81 |access-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref> In the [[Oyo Empire]], the [[Oyo Mesi]], or royal council, were members of the aristocracy who constrained the power of the [[Alaafin]], or king.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Stilwel |first1=Sean |title=Slavery and Slaving in African History: New Approaches to African History |date=2014 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-107-00134-3 |page=116 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6B6mAwAAQBAJ&dq=africa+royal+council+history&pg=PA116 |access-date=November 25, 2020}}</ref> During the [[Qing dynasty]], the highest decision-making body was the [[Deliberative Council of Princes and Ministers|Deliberative Council]].<ref>{{cite book |author1=Rawski |author1-link=Evelyn S. |editor1-last=Millward |editor1-first=James A. |editor2-last=Dunnell |editor2-first=Ruth W. |editor3-last=Elliott |editor3-first=Mark C. |editor4-last=Forêt |editor4-first=Philippe |title=New Qing Imperial History: The making of Inner Asian empire at Qing Chengde |date=2011 |publisher=RoutledgeCurzon |location=New York, NY |isbn=978-0-415-51118-6 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bx_RFTbHwjYC&dq=ming+imperial+council+history&pg=PP29 |access-date=November 25, 2020 |chapter=2. The Qing empire during the Qianlong reign}}</ref>
+The ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'' credits Francis Bacon in his ''[[Essays (Francis Bacon)|Essays]]'' (1605) with the first use of "Cabinet council", where it is described as a foreign habit, of which he disapproves: "For which inconveniences, the doctrine of Italy, and practice of France, in some kings' times, hath introduced cabinet counsels; a remedy worse than the disease".<ref>[http://www.bartleby.com/3/1/20.html Bacon, Essay "On Counsel"]</ref>
-In the United Kingdom and its colonies, cabinets began as smaller sub-groups of the [[Privy Council of England|English Privy Council]]. The term comes from the name for a [[Cabinet (room)|relatively small and private room]] used as a study or retreat. Phrases such as "cabinet counsel," meaning advice given in private to the monarch, occur from the late 16th century, and, given the non-standardized spelling of the day, it is often hard to distinguish whether "council" or "counsel" is meant.<ref name="OED Cabinet">''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'': Cabinet</ref>
-The ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'' credits [[Francis Bacon]] in his ''[[Essays (Francis Bacon)|Essays]]'' (1605) with the first use of "Cabinet council", where it is described as a foreign habit, of which he disapproves: "For which inconveniences, the doctrine of Italy, and practice of France, in some kings' times, hath introduced cabinet counsels; a remedy worse than the disease".<ref>[http://www.bartleby.com/3/1/20.html Bacon, Essay "On Counsel"]</ref>
 [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] began a formal "Cabinet Council" from his accession in 1625, as his Privy Council, or "private council", was evidently not private enough,{{citation needed|date=January 2011}} and the first recorded use of "cabinet" by itself for such a body comes from 1644, and is again hostile and associates the term with dubious foreign practices.<ref name="OED Cabinet"/> The process has repeated itself in recent times, as leaders have felt the need to have a [[Kitchen Cabinet]] or "sofa government".<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6497751.stm UK | UK Politics | Clarke targets 'sofa-style' Blair]. BBC News (2007-03-27). Retrieved on 2013-08-24.</ref>
-== Parliamentary cabinets ==
+==Parliamentary cabinets==
+{{unreferenced section|date=November 2020}}
-[[File:Prime ministers.svg|thumb|upright=1.35|Countries with prime ministers (blue), those that formerly had that position (dark red) and those that never had that position (gray).]]
+[[File:Prime ministers.svg|thumb|upright=1.35|Countries with prime ministers (blue), those that formerly had that position (dark red), and those that never had that position (gray)]]
-{{More citations needed section|date=November 2020}}
 {{see also|Cabinet of Canada|Cabinet of Australia|Cabinet of New Zealand|Cabinet of the United Kingdom}}
+Under the Westminster system, members of the cabinet are [[Minister of the Crown|Ministers of the Crown]] who are [[cabinet collective responsibility|collectively responsible]] for all government policy. All ministers, whether senior and in the cabinet or junior ministers, must publicly support the policy of the government, regardless of any private reservations. Although, in theory, all cabinet decisions are taken collectively by the cabinet, in practice many decisions are delegated to the various sub-committees of the cabinet, which report to the full cabinet on their findings and recommendations. As these recommendations have already been agreed upon by those in the cabinet who hold affected ministerial portfolios, the recommendations are usually agreed to by the full cabinet with little further discussion. The cabinet may also provide ideas on/if new laws were established, and what they include. Cabinet deliberations are secret and documents dealt with in cabinet are confidential. Most of the documentation associated with cabinet deliberations will only be publicly released a considerable period after the particular cabinet disbands, depending on provisions of a nation's [[freedom of information]] legislation.
-<!-- Image with inadequate rationale removed: [[File:20060206 cab01.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.15|Cabinet of [[Stephen Harper]] ([[28th Canadian Ministry]])]] -->
-Under the [[Westminster system]], members of the cabinet are [[Ministers of the Crown]] who are [[cabinet collective responsibility|collectively responsible]] for all government policy. All ministers, whether senior and in the cabinet or junior ministers, must publicly support the policy of the government, regardless of any private reservations. Although, in theory, all cabinet decisions are taken collectively by the cabinet, in practice many decisions are delegated to the various sub-committees of the cabinet, which report to the full cabinet on their findings and recommendations. As these recommendations have already been agreed upon by those in the cabinet who hold affected ministerial portfolios, the recommendations are usually agreed to by the full cabinet with little further discussion. The cabinet may also provide ideas on/if new laws were established, and what they include. Cabinet deliberations are secret and documents dealt with in cabinet are confidential. Most of the documentation associated with cabinet deliberations will only be publicly released a considerable period after the particular cabinet disbands, depending on provisions of a nation's [[freedom of information]] legislation.
-In theory the [[prime minister]] or premier is [[first among equals]]. However, the prime minister is ultimately the person from whom the [[head of state]] will take [[Advice (constitutional)|advice]] (by constitutional convention) on the exercise of [[executive power]], which may include the powers to declare war, use nuclear weapons, and appoint cabinet members. This results in the situation where the cabinet is de facto appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the prime minister. Thus the cabinet is often strongly subordinate to the prime minister as they can be replaced at any time, or can be moved ("demoted") to a different portfolio in a [[cabinet reshuffle]] for "underperforming".
+In theory the prime minister or premier is [[Primus inter pares|first among equals]]. However, the prime minister is ultimately the person from whom the head of state will take [[Advice (constitutional law)|advice]] (by constitutional convention) on the exercise of [[Executive (government)|executive power]], which may include the powers to declare war, use nuclear weapons, and appoint cabinet members. This results in the situation where the cabinet is ''de facto'' appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the prime minister. Thus, the cabinet is often strongly subordinate to the prime minister as they can be replaced at any time, or can be moved ("demoted") to a different portfolio in a [[cabinet reshuffle]] for "underperforming".
 This position in relation to the executive power means that, in practice, any spreading of responsibility for the overall direction of the government has usually been done as a matter of preference by the prime minister – either because they are unpopular with their [[backbencher]]s, or because they believe that the cabinet should collectively decide things.
-A ''[[shadow cabinet]]'' consists of the leading members, or [[frontbenchers]], of an [[opposition party]], who generally hold critic portfolios "shadowing" cabinet ministers, questioning their decisions and proposing policy alternatives. In some countries, the shadow ministers are referred to as spokespersons.
+A [[shadow cabinet]] consists of the leading members, or [[Frontbencher|frontbenchers]], of an [[Opposition (politics)|opposition party]], who generally hold critic portfolios "shadowing" cabinet ministers, questioning their decisions and proposing policy alternatives. In some countries, the shadow ministers are referred to as spokespersons.
 The Westminster cabinet system is the foundation of cabinets as they are known at the federal and provincial (or state) jurisdictions of [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[South Africa]], and other [[Commonwealth of Nations]] countries whose parliamentary model is closely based on that of the United Kingdom.
-== Cabinet of the United States ==
+==Cabinet of the United States==
-{{More citations needed section|date=November 2020}}
+{{unreferenced section|date=November 2020}}
 {{Main|Cabinet of the United States}}
+[[File:P20210720AS-3425-2 (51417135942).jpg|thumb|President [[Joe Biden]]'s cabinet, 2021]]
+Under the doctrine of [[Separation of powers under the United States Constitution|separation of powers in the United States]], a cabinet under a presidential system of government is part of the executive branch. In addition to administering their respective segments of the executive branch, cabinet members are responsible for advising the head of government on areas within their purview.
-[[File:President Barack Obama with full cabinet 09-10-09.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.25|Former President [[Barack Obama]]'s Cabinet, 2009]]
-Under the doctrine of [[separation of powers in the United States]], a cabinet under a [[presidential system]] of government is part of the executive branch. In addition to administering their respective segments of the executive branch, cabinet members are responsible for advising the head of government on areas within their purview.
 They are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the head of government and are therefore strongly subordinate to the president as they can be replaced at any time. Normally, since they are appointed by the president, they are members of the same political party, but the executive is free to select anyone, including opposition party members, subject to the [[advice and consent]] of the Senate.
@@ Line 86: / Line 87: @@
 Normally, the legislature or a segment thereof must confirm the appointment of a cabinet member; this is but one of the many [[separation of powers|checks and balances]] built into a presidential system. The legislature may also remove a cabinet member through a usually difficult [[impeachment]] process.
-In the Cabinet, members do not serve to influence legislative policy to the degree found in a Westminster system; however, each member wields significant influence in matters relating to their [[United States federal executive departments|executive department]]. Since the administration of [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], the president of the United States has acted most often through his own [[Executive Office of the President of the United States|executive office]] or the [[United States National Security Council|National Security Council]] rather than through the Cabinet as was the case in earlier administrations.
+In the cabinet, members do not serve to influence legislative policy to the degree found in a Westminster system; however, each member wields significant influence in matters relating to their [[United States federal executive departments|executive department]]. Since the administration of [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], the [[President of the United States]] has acted most often through his own [[Executive Office of the President of the United States|executive office]] or the [[United States National Security Council|National Security Council]] rather than through the cabinet as was the case in earlier administrations.
-Although the term ''Secretary'' is usually used to name the most senior official of a government department, some departments have different titles to name such officials. For instance, the Department of Justice uses the term ''Attorney General'' instead of ''Justice Secretary'', but the attorney general is nonetheless a cabinet-level position.
+Although the term "Secretary" is usually used to name the most senior official of a government department, some departments have different titles to name such officials. For instance, the [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]] uses the term "Attorney General" instead of "Justice Secretary", but the [[United States Attorney General|Attorney General]] is nonetheless a cabinet-level position.
-Following the federal government's model, state executive branches are also organized into executive departments headed by cabinet secretaries. The [[government of California]] calls these departments "agencies" or informally "superagencies", while the [[government of Kentucky]] styles them as "cabinets".
+Following the federal government's model, state executive branches are also organised into executive departments headed by cabinet secretaries. The [[government of California]] calls these departments "agencies" or informally "superagencies", while the [[government of Kentucky]] styles them as "cabinets".
 {{see also|Arkansas Cabinet|Florida Cabinet|Kansas State Cabinet|North Carolina Cabinet|North Dakota State Cabinet|Cabinet of the Governor of Ohio|Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet|Texas Cabinet|Virginia Governor's Cabinet|Puerto Rico Cabinet}}
-== Communist system ==
+==Communist system==
-{{More citations needed section|date=November 2020}}
+{{unreferenced section|date=November 2020}}
-[[Communist state]]s can be ruled ''de facto'' by the [[politburo]], such as the [[Politburo of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union]]. This is an organ of the communist party and not a state organ, but due to one-party rule, the state and its cabinet (e.g. [[Government of the Soviet Union]]) are in practice subordinate to the politburo. Technically, a politburo is overseen and its members selected by the [[central committee]], but in practice it was often the other way around: powerful members of the politburo would ensure their support in the central committee through patronage. In China, political power has been further centralized into [[Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China|a standing committee of the Politburo]].
+[[Communist state]]s can be ruled ''de facto'' by the [[politburo]], such as the [[Politburo of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union]]. This is an organ of the communist party and not a state organ, but due to one-party rule, the state and its cabinet (e.g. [[Government of the Soviet Union]]) are in practice subordinate to the politburo. Technically, a politburo is overseen and its members selected by the [[central committee]], but in practice it was often the other way around: powerful members of the politburo would ensure their support in the central committee through patronage. In China, political power has been further centralised into the [[Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party]].
-== See also ==
+==See also==
 {{Main list|List of national governments}}
 * [[Cabinet collective responsibility]]
@@ Line 112: / Line 113: @@
 * [[War cabinet]]
-== References ==
+==References==
 {{Reflist}}
-== External links ==
+==External links==
 {{Wikisource1911Enc|Cabinet}}
 * [https://www.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/our-research/research-centres/nuffield-politics-research-centre/whogov/ WhoGov dataset on cabinet members in all countries with a greater population than 400,000 for the period 1966–2021.]