In apparent analogy to the theory of the British constitution as it existed at the time of the organization of the state and federal governments, by which the executive functions of government were supposed to be discharged by the king and his ministers and other officers appointed by him or under his authority, provision is made in our constitutional system for the choice of a chief executive and subordinate executive officers. As a matter of fact the practical exercise of executive power no longer rests in Great Britain with the king, but it is now in the cabinet or ministry composed of officers technically appointed by the king but in fact chosen from the two houses of Parliament, not in accordance with the king's own judgment or wishes, but in accordance with the will of the majority in Parliament, that is, for the purpose of securing the support of a majority for the measures which may be proposed or the action which may be taken by them as ministers.

In the United States the theory of an independent executive department is still practically as well as theoretically retained. In the states the chief executive and also the principal executive officers are selected by popular vote; under the provisions of the federal constitution the president and vice-president are chosen indirectly by popular vote, while the chief executive officers, composing the president's cabinet, are appointed by the president, with the approval of the Senate (Art. II, § 2, ¶ 2). There is, however, no direct provision that the chief executive officers, who are provided for by law and designated as secretaries of different departments, shall act together as an advisory cabinet; but this seems to be contemplated in the provision that the president "may require the opinion in writing of the principal officer in each of the executive departments upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices" (Art. II, § 2, ¶ 1). At any rate, it has become the practice for the president to present matters which concern the government as a whole, and not merely the administration of any particular department, to the cabinet sitting as a body; although action, when finally taken, is on the authority of the president, the opinion of the cabinet being merely advisory.