Alejandro Olivares L. holds a Ph.D. in Social Sciences and an M.A. in Political Science from University of Chile. He is a political scientist with research and publications on political elites and public policies, public administration and political institutions, and has experience in quantitative research methods and multi-methods analysis. He has been professor at bachelor, master and doctorate degree in public administration, political science and international relations in Chile and Ecuador. His main teaching interests include methodology, comparative politics, political institutions, elites, and public policies.

1. Introduction.- 2. Why are ministers important? The state of the art on ministers and cabinets.- 3. Cabinet formation in Uruguay.- 4. Cabinet formation in Chile.- 5. Analysis of ministers' survival in Chile and Uruguay.- 6. Final remarks: Survival of Ministers and Configuration of Cabinets.