Cabinet

For alternate meanings see Cabinet (disambiguation).

A cabinet is a council of high-ranking members of government, typically representing the executive branch. In some nations, particularly those with parliamentary systems, the cabinet collectively decides the government's policy and tactical direction. In other nations, such as the United States, the cabinet has little collective power and functions largely as an advisory council to the chief executive. Cabinets can be appointed from sitting members of the legislature or independently.

In most nations, members of the cabinet are given the title of minister, and each hold a different portfolio of government duties (minister of the environment, etc). In a few nations, the title of secretary is used for cabinet members.

See also: United States Cabinet, Cabinet of the United Kingdom, Cabinet of Sweden, Cabinet of Canada