2006-07-13 13:00:35 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Government
A commonwealth began with a CHARTER from the King of England (thus it is a "chartered commonwealth") whereas a State began as an American territory.
Same thing, really, but historically different in the original form before American statehood was granted to it.
2006-07-13 13:05:10 · answer #1 · answered by urbancoyote 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Today there is no difference, but the difference that there would me is more a matter of poetic suggestion than any practical implication.
The, say, Commonwealth of Virginia, is just a title that hearkens back to a day when the majority of colonial Americans had in mind a concept of government that involved each man working hard for his own life, his own subsistence, and that of his family of course, and a government of elected officials in place to supervise the protection of those interests.
A state is a localized government entity that had limited powers within the context of a federal structure.
The idea of a commonwealth involves more independence and would have been more practicable at this countries inception as the power of the federal government was not so well established. A commonwealth would have, say, an independent militia, or, say, the idea that they cooperated voluntary in any kind of confederation of states.
A state is a more strictly defined structure, where it is understood that the authority of the federal government is final, and the local government of that particular state exists, albeit with certain established proprietary powers, under the protection and restraint of the central federal government.
Today there are no commonwealths, just some states that retain that name as a remnant of a former structure or ethic of government.
2006-07-13 20:09:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A state is an antonymous governmental body which rules over its self and may or may not be subordinate to another governmental body where as a commonwealth is also a antonymous government which belongs to a confederation or has allegiance to a larger governmental body but is not subordinate to said body. The best example I can think of is Puerto Rico.
2006-07-13 20:14:58 · answer #3 · answered by tim b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2-3 hours depending on which state and which commonwealth you're referring to
2006-07-13 20:03:21 · answer #4 · answered by WiseWon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
State is where it is part of the United Sates. A commonwealth is where it is US territory but has its own independence and government. They are still American citizens.
2006-07-13 20:05:12 · answer #5 · answered by C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_%28United_States%29
2006-07-13 20:04:38 · answer #6 · answered by futurehero5200 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋