Whats does commonwealth mean?

Whats does commonwealth mean?

Definition of commonwealth 1 : a nation, state, or other political unit: such as. a : one founded on law and united by compact or tacit agreement of the people for the common good. b : one in which supreme authority is vested in the people.

What is difference between Commonwealth and state?

The distinction is in name alone. The commonwealths are just like any other state in their politics and laws, and there is no difference in their relationship to the nation as a whole. When used to refer to U.S. states, there is no difference between a 'state' and a 'commonwealth'.

Why is Australia called a commonwealth?

Why was Australia called a Commonwealth after Federation? The name Commonwealth was adopted at the first federal Convention in Sydney in 1891 to describe Australia nationally as a political, rather than simply a geographical, entity.

Is the United States a commonwealth?

Originally, the countries that made up the Commonwealth included the United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Australia, Newfoundland, and the Irish Free State. As things stand, the United States is not a member of the Commonwealth although it eligible to join and has expressed interest in the past.

What makes a state a commonwealth?

Nowadays, a commonwealth has come to mean any government in which all people involved have a say, or a loose formation of nations with a shared loyalty. It is also the official designation of a few states including, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia and some U.S. territories.

Why is Virginia considered a commonwealth?

Since 1776, Virginia has been a "commonwealth." It associated with other colonies through a Continental Congress starting in 1775, and became part of a confederation with other former colonies in 1781. Virginia became one of the "united" states when the Constitution was ratified in 1788.

Why is Kentucky a commonwealth and not a state?

“So I think that's just another legacy of having been a part of Virginia.” Massachusetts and Pennsylvania are the country's other two commonwealths. In 1792, Virginia's Kentucky County became its own state, and also decided to take on the name “commonwealth.”

Why is PA called a commonwealth and not a state?

Pennsylvania was designated as a commonwealth as early as 1776, when it formed its own state -- I mean commonwealth -- constitution. That means we were a commonwealth before we were part of the United States, and indeed before there was even a United States to be part of.

Why is Virginia a Commonwealth?

Since 1776, Virginia has been a "commonwealth." It associated with other colonies through a Continental Congress starting in 1775, and became part of a confederation with other former colonies in 1781. Virginia became one of the "united" states when the Constitution was ratified in 1788.

What does Commonwealth stand for?

• commonwealth(Noun) A form of government, named for the concept that everything that is not owned by specific individuals or groups is owned collectively by everyone in the governmental unit, as opposed to a state, where the state itself owns such things. commonwealth(Noun) Approximately, a republic.

What are disadvantages of being a Commonwealth?

• A major drawback of living in commonwealth countries is the possibility of its manipulation by the megalomaniac people for realizing their desires. There is a dire need for regular monitoring against any group or person in-laws influencing position to achieve authority, power, and wealth over the masses.

What is the function of the Commonwealth?

• The legislative function of the Commonwealth Parliament specifies that Parliament should initiate, deliberate and finally pass legislation. The legislative function is a key role of elected Parliaments. For legislation to be seen as legitimate in democracy it must allow for wide ranging input.

What does the Commonwealth do?

• The Commonwealth, or the Commonwealth of Nations, is a group of 53 states, all of which (except for two) were formerly part of the British Empire. The Commonwealth was created in the early 1900s when nations that were formerly a part of the British Empire began to secede. Its main goal was to ease the process of British decolonization.