THE AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL CABINET: RECRUITMENT, CHARACTERISTICS, AND CAREERS OF MEMBERS FROM WASHINGTON TO REAGA

This study deals with the impact of various types of societal and political change on the characteristics of the members of the American presidential cabinet. The basic focus of the research is on the criteria of selection, the social background and political characteristics, length of tenure and reasons for termination, and subsequent careers of cabinet members. Investigating the impact of higher level changes on these aspects of the cabinet has been accomplished within a theoretical framework which encompasses three approaches: an adaptation of skill politics which generally implies secular change at the societal level; a version of realignment theory which suggests cyclical change at the political level; and an approach based on presidential characteristics which portends less systematic change at the individual level. In order to conduct this investigation, data was collected on the postelection appointments of all first term presidents from George Washington to Ronald Reagan. This data came from a wide variety of biographical sources and case studies of presidential administrations. The analysis of this data has resulted in a number of interesting findings which reflect both continuity and change in the cabinet. Electoral support, traditions of customary appointments, and issues of geopolitics have played important roles in the process of selection of cabinet officers. Members have typically been well educated white males with high social status, appointed at the height of their professional careers. They have served an average of three years and have often returned to their precabinet occupations. In attempting to identify and explain changes in the cabinet, it has been found that, while presidential characteristics and skill requirements do play roles in recruitment, the strongest impact seems to be in the area of electoral politics. Overall findings of this research support the contention that the cabinet has served, and continues to serve, an important function as a symbolic political institution.