In this systematic investigation of how central executives in western Canadian provinces actually function, Christopher Dunn describes the evolution of cabinet decision making into the institutionalized (or structured) cabinet of the postwar era.

Dunn investigates factors leading to the initiation and persistence of institutionalized cabinets in the governments of T.C. Douglas in Saskatchewan, Duff Roblin and Walter Weir in Manitoba, and W.R. Bennett in British Columbia. He describes the transition from unaided, or relatively uncoordinated, central executive structures to those that are more structured, collegial, and prone to emphasize planning and coordination. He also examines how the premier's role has expanded from simply choosing cabinets to reorganizing their structure and decision-making processes as well.

The institutionalization of provincial cabinets has had major effects on both political actors and functions in the three provinces studied. Dunn shows that cabinet structure has changed, and been changed by, power relations within the cabinet.