Commonwealth v. State

[© tweed]

Are there any actual differences in a commonwealth and a state, or are they just different words for the same thing?  For example: the commonwealth of Virginia, and the State of New York.

[A18]

No.

[Emsworth]

Traditionally, the term "commonwealth" was considered synonymous with "republic." When Virginia, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania became independent from Britain, they chose to call themselves "commonwealths" to distinguish themselves from monarchies. They were probably imitating the Commonwealth of England, which was established after the English Civil War.

However, the term "commonwealth" does not have any special political meaning. Some commonwealths are states (e.g., the Commonwealth of Virginia), but others are territories (e.g., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico).

[??????????]

Traditionally, the term "commonwealth" was considered synonymous with "republic." When Virginia, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania became independent from Britain, they chose to call themselves "commonwealths" to distinguish themselves from monarchies. They were probably imitating the Commonwealth of England, which was established after the English Civil War.

However, the term "commonwealth" does not have any special political meaning. Some commonwealths are states (e.g., the Commonwealth of Virginia), but others are territories (e.g., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico).

Kentucky is also a commonwealth.

[??????????]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_or_State%3F

[Platypus]

commonwealth vs. state is something I actually know a fair bit about, when it relates to Australia. Within America, not a clue

[MODU]

Not too much these days, since the state-level governments have all grown and matured to fit their roles within the national structure.