In this article you will learn about the Difference Between Cabinet and Council of Ministers.
Cabinet
The cabinet is the primary decision-making body within the government, typically comprising the highest-ranking ministers, including the Prime Minister or President. It holds significant executive authority and is responsible for setting government policies, making key decisions, and overseeing the day-to-day administration of the government. Members of the cabinet collectively share responsibility for government decisions and are expected to support and defend these decisions, even if they have personal disagreements.
Council of Ministers
The Council of Ministers is a broader body that includes not only the core cabinet ministers but also other ministers heading various government departments or portfolios. These ministers have specific responsibilities in areas like health, education, defence, or finance. They play a supporting role by managing and implementing policies within their respective areas, bringing proposals to the cabinet for consideration, and ensuring the detailed execution of government policies. The Council of Ministers assists the cabinet in governing effectively. The composition and functions of both the cabinet and the Council of Ministers can vary depending on the country's governance structure.
In the context of government, the terms "cabinet" and "council of ministers" are separate but strongly connected. Although they both have important roles in the executive branch, there are some significant distinctions between them, mainly in terms of their makeup and modes of operation. Let's explore these differences :
Cabinet :
Core Decision-Making Body : The cabinet is the core decision-making body within the executive branch of a government. It is typically composed of the highest-ranking government ministers, such as the Prime Minister (or President in some countries) and key department heads.
Executive Authority : The cabinet is responsible for setting government policies and making significant decisions on matters of national importance. It carries out the day-to-day administration of the government and implements laws and policies.
Collective Responsibility : Members of the cabinet collectively share the responsibility for government decisions. This means that they are expected to support and defend cabinet decisions, even if they personally disagree with them. If a cabinet member cannot support a decision, they may be required to resign.
Council of Ministers :
Broader Composition : The Council of Ministers is a more extensive body that includes not only the core cabinet ministers but also other ministers who head various government departments. It encompasses a larger group of ministers responsible for different portfolios or sectors.
Specific Functions : The Council of Ministers consists of a larger group of ministers with particular duties, but the cabinet is ultimately responsible for making decisions. These ministers are in charge of several government agencies and have jurisdiction over particular policy domains, like finance, education, defence, and health.
Supporting Role : Members of the Council of Ministers assist the cabinet by managing and implementing policies within their respective areas of expertise. They may bring issues and proposals to the cabinet for consideration and are responsible for the detailed execution of government policies.
Usually made up of senior ministers, the cabinet is the main decision-making body in the government and has considerable executive power. In contrast, the Council of Ministers is a larger body of ministers who oversee particular government departments and provide support in managing their respective domains and putting policies into action. Depending on the legal and governance frameworks of each nation, these bodies' operational procedures may differ slightly from one another.
This article on Difference Between Cabinet and Council of Ministers is contributed by Dipshikha Anand. If you like LawStudyPoint.com do follow us on our Twitter handle.