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

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

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

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

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

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

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