Final answer:
The cabinet's purpose is to advise the President and oversee executive departments, evolving from four to fifteen members to reflect diverse governmental roles and represent America's diversity. The cabinet's function can be unique to a presidency, with impactful historical examples like the Marshall Plan, and continues to change with political dynamics such as the emergence of 'kitchen cabinets'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Purpose and Evolution of the Cabinet
The purpose of the cabinet is to advise the President and administer executive branch departments. Since its inception under George Washington with only four members, the cabinet has grown to include fifteen departments, reflecting the expanding role of the federal government. Cabinet members are leaders of their respective departments, such as the Secretaries of Labor, Agriculture, Education, and others. Over time, the cabinet has evolved to include not only key advisors chosen for their expertise but to also represent the diversity of America. Cabinet selection has been influenced by considerations of ability, expertise, influence, reputation, and, more recently, political and demographic representation. The concept of an 'inner cabinet' and 'outer cabinet' highlights the varying prominence of different departments. The evolution of the cabinet also includes the practice of presidents maintaining an unofficial 'kitchen cabinet' in addition to the official one.
Cabinets function differently in presidential and parliamentary regimes. In the United States, cabinet functions are characterized by individual presidents shaping their cabinet's structure and roles, giving each cabinet a unique identity. For example, the Marshall Plan, developed by Secretary of State George Marshall, demonstrates a far-reaching initiative by a cabinet member. The personalization of chief executives, with prime ministers appearing more presidential, has also impacted the functioning and perception of cabinets. Critiques often arise when executive leaders use informal advisory groups, like kitchen cabinets, to bypass traditional institutions.