inner cabinet
Leader's trusted circle
The inner cabinet is the small circle of senior ministers or advisors closest to a head of government, as distinct from the full cabinet.
While the formal cabinet may include dozens of officials, the inner cabinet comprises those with the most influence on major decisions: The president consulted his inner cabinet before announcing the policy shift.
The term acknowledges that real power often concentrates among a trusted few.
Religious leaders or officials
- secretariesOffice administrative assistants
- advisersPeople giving expert counsel
- chancellorSenior administrative official
- premierFirst in importance
prime minister · president · parliament · senate · executive · policy · statecraft · diplomacy
Restricted from disclosure
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- privilegedHaving special advantages
- undisclosedNot made known
- restrictedLimited in scope
private · concealed · covert · clandestine · discreet · behind-the-scenes · closed-door · off-the-record
Power to affect others
- cloutInformal power or punch
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- controlAuthority to direct
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
dominance · sway · decision-making · command · hierarchy · ascendancy · gatekeeping · kingmaker
Arranging for future events
- deliberationCareful weighing of choices
- counselExpert guidance offered
- briefingConcise information session
- intelligenceMental ability, cognitive capacity
analysis · foresight · contingency · crisis management · national security · defense · foreign policy · agenda-setting
ministers
Religious leaders or officials
- secretariesOffice administrative assistants
- advisersPeople giving expert counsel
- chancellorSenior administrative official
premier · prime minister · president · parliament · senate · executive · policy · statecraft · diplomacy · coalition
classified
Restricted from disclosure
- confidentialMeant to stay secret
- privilegedHaving special advantages
- undisclosedNot made known
restricted · private · concealed · covert · clandestine · discreet · behind-the-scenes · closed-door · off-the-record · need-to-know
influence
Power to affect others
leverage · dominance · sway · decision-making · command · hierarchy · ascendancy · gatekeeping · kingmaker · powerbroker
planning
Arranging for future events
- deliberationCareful weighing of choices
- counselExpert guidance offered
- briefingConcise information session
intelligence · analysis · foresight · contingency · crisis management · national security · defense · foreign policy · agenda-setting · priority
confidants
Trusted secret-keepers
- loyalistsFaithful to established authority
- alliesCooperative partners united together
- trusteesThose holding assets for others
insiders · cronies · handpicked · elite · selectmen · coterie · clique · brain trust · cabal · old guard
inner cabinetouter circle
Secondary social contacts
periphery · backbench · opposition · shadow cabinet · out-group
inner, cabinet, inward, inwardly, inwards, innermost, inmost, cabinets