Sinecure

A sinecure (from Latin sine, without, and cura, care) means an office which requires or involves little or no responsibility, labour, or active service. Examples are the Lord Privy Seal and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the British cabinet and the Postmaster General in the United States. Sinecures have historically provided a potent tool for governments or monarchs to distribute patronage, while recipients are able to store up titles and easy salaries.

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A sinecure should not be confused with a figurehead, as the latter office actually requires active participation in government, albeit with a lack of power. A sinecure, by contrast, has no real day-to-day responsibilities, but may have de jure power.

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Lord Privy Seal: The Lord Privy Seal or Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal is one of the traditional sinecure offices in the British Cabinet. Originally, its holder was responsible for the monarch's personal ("privy") seal (as opposed to the Great Seal of state, which is in the care of the Lord Chancellor)....

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is, in modern times, a sinecure office in the British government. Originally the chief officer of the Duchy of Lancaster, that estate is now run by a deputy, leaving the position of Chancellor to serve in effect as an alternative Minister without Portfolio. T...

Postmaster General: A Postmaster General is the national politician in charge of the postal system of a country. In most nations he or she is an appointed official of cabinet rank....