Glossary / Executive Power
Cabinet
The group of senior ministers who lead government departments and collectively make major policy decisions.
Explanation
The cabinet is the committee of senior government ministers, each typically responsible for a specific government department (defense, finance, health, foreign affairs, etc.). In parliamentary systems, the cabinet makes collective decisions and shares collective responsibility — all ministers publicly support government decisions or resign. The prime minister chairs the cabinet and sets its agenda. In presidential systems, cabinet members are appointed by the president and serve as advisors and department heads rather than collective decision-makers. Cabinet composition often reflects coalition agreements in multiparty systems.