Examine how UK and US cabinets differ (12 marks)

Question 1

US cabinet

Answer 1

• cabinet appointments are subject to Senate confirmation
• cabinet members are a subordinate to the president (cabinet doesn’t make decisions, the president does)
• cabinet members are policy specialists, no cabinet reshuffles
• president only sees cabinet during cabinet meetings (rarely)
• no doctrine of collective responsibility

Question 2

UK cabinet

Answer 2

• no formal limits on cabinet appointments
• cabinet collectively make decisions alongside the PM
• cabinet members are policy generalists, hence cabinet reshuffles
• PM sees caqbinet ministers regularly
• collective responsibility applies