ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the cabinet in the United States. It describes the role of the cabinet, how it is formed, and the individuals who have been appointed to the cabinet. The US constitution resides at the centre of the American political system and sets the role of the three branches of power in what is considered a classical republican, federalist system with strong separation of powers. US party politics revolves around a two-party system that has been historically dominated by the Republican and Democratic parties. In 1789, the cabinet of President George Washington, the first president of the United States of America, consisted of four executive offices, the Department of State, the Department of War, the Department of the Treasury, and the Department of Justice, led by the attorney general. The Senate's refusal to play an active part in advising the president in executive matters led to the creation of the cabinet.
