The cabinet is a crucial institution in a parliamentary system, playing a central role in the
governance of the country. It is a group of senior ministers who are responsible for advising the
head of government and overseeing the administration of various government departments.
Composition
The composition of the cabinet varies from country to country, but it typically consists of:
Prime Minister or Head of Government: The head of government is the leader of
the cabinet and is responsible for setting the overall direction and policy of the government.
Senior Ministers: Senior ministers are responsible for overseeing various
government departments and are usually members of the legislature.
Junior Ministers: Junior ministers are responsible for assisting senior
ministers and may be members of the legislature or appointed officials.
Powers and Responsibilities
The cabinet has several key powers and responsibilities:
Policy-making: The cabinet is responsible for developing and
implementing government policies.
Decision-making: The cabinet makes decisions on key issues, such as budget
allocation, legislation, and appointments.
Administration:The cabinet oversees the administration of government
departments and agencies.
Coordination:The cabinet coordinates the activities of various government
departments and agencies.
Formation
The cabinet is formed in the following way:
Appointment by the Head of Government: The head of government appoints senior
ministers to the cabinet, usually after consulting with other party leaders and stakeholders.
Selection of Junior Ministers: Junior ministers are selected by the head of
government or senior ministers, usually based on their expertise and experience.
Interaction with the Head of Government and Legislature:
The cabinet interacts with the head of government and legislature in the following ways:
Regular Meetings: The cabinet meets regularly with the head of government to
discuss policy and decision-making.
Legislative Agenda: The cabinet works with the legislature to pass laws and
implement policies.
Accountability: The cabinet is accountable to the legislature and must respond
to questions and criticisms from members.
Ministerial Responsibility
Ministerial responsibility is a key concept in parliamentary systems, holding ministers
accountable for their actions:
Individual Responsibility: Ministers are individually responsible for their
actions and decisions, and can be held accountable by the legislature.
Collective Responsibility: The cabinet is collectively responsible for the
actions and decisions of the government, and can be held accountable by the legislature.
Examples of Cabinet Coordination
The cabinet has been used to coordinate policy and decision-making in several ways:
Australia's Cabinet Committee System: Australia's cabinet has a committee
system, which allows for coordination and decision-making on key issues.
Canada's Cabinet Priorities Committee: Canada's cabinet has a priorities
committee, which sets the overall direction and priorities for the government.
New Zealand's Cabinet Policy Committee: New Zealand's cabinet has a policy
committee, which develops and implements government policies.
Examples of Cabinet Accountability
The cabinet has been held accountable for its actions in several ways:
United Kingdom's Ministerial Code: The UK has a ministerial code, which sets
out the standards of behavior expected of ministers.
Australia's Senate Estimates Committee: Australia's Senate has an estimates
committee, which holds ministers accountable for their actions and decisions.
Canada's Parliamentary Committee System: Canada's parliamentary committee
system allows for scrutiny and accountability of ministers and government departments.
In conclusion, the cabinet plays a crucial role in a parliamentary system, providing a forum for
policy-making, decision-making, and coordination. The concept of ministerial responsibility
holds ministers accountable for their actions, and the cabinet is accountable to the legislature.
The cabinet has been used to coordinate policy and decision-making, and has been held accountable
for its actions through various mechanisms.
