1. A Level Government & Politics
The US Cabinet
A Level Government & Politics
Students should be able to:
Identify the function of Cabinet in the US
Explore the function of Cabinet in the US
Compare and Contrast Cabinet in the US with that in Britain

2. No constitutional requirement
The US Cabinet
The advisory group selected by the President to aid him in making decisions and coordinating the work of the Federal Government. Membership is at the pleasure of the President
15 Heads of Department
+ Vice President
+ Director of OMB
No constitutional requirement
State
Treasury
Defense
Attorney General

3. Frequency of Meetings Varies between President to President.
Reagan in his first year held 36 Meetings
Meeting number tends to decline towards an election year as election demands eat into his time
George W Bush’s Meetings
Year
Frequency
2001 9
2002 5
2003 8
2004 6
2005
2006
2007 4
2008
2009 1

4. Information Gathering
Function of Cabinet
For the President
Team Spirit
Consensual
Information Gathering
Debate
Big Picture
See all Departments

5. Function of Cabinet Catch the President Increased Standing Get to know
For the Cabinet
Get to know
Resolve Disputes
Contact Points
Catch the President
Increased Standing

6. UK US Comparison to the UK
There are significant differences in Cabinet between the United States, namely that Cabinet is far more significant in the UK than it is in the United States. UK US
Cabinet members sit in the legislature
Cabinet posts are a key part of the PMs powers of patronage
MPs want to be in Cabinet
Collective Ministerial Responsibility
Cabinet members must only be in the executive branch
Not a reward, more of a final posting before retirement
No collective ministerial responsibility

7. A Level Government & Politics
The US Cabinet
A Level Government & Politics
Students should be able to:
Identify the function of Cabinet in the US
Explore the function of Cabinet in the US
Compare and Contrast Cabinet in the US with that in Britain