Commonwealth versus state: what is the difference?

Question

:I live in PA and someone told me it is a commonwealth not a state but there are 50 states and PA is one of them. What I want to know is what is the difference between a commonwealth and a state, how many commonwealths are there, and please name them all if you know. Thank you

Answer 1

There are technically 46 states and 4 commonwealths in the US, those being PA, MA, VA, and KY. The difference between a commonwealth and a state are strictly legal ones.

A state, as originally mentioned, is a sovereign entity unto itself, capable of entering into and being judged by international law. A commonwealth, as originally mentioned, is more like a commune or a modern-day socialist sovereign entity.

Given that in the US, the individual states and commonwealths subordinate themselves to a federal government (in Washington, D.C.), the terms are pretty much the same thing.

However, outside the US, the largest example of a commonwealth is the British Commonwealth. This includes the UK, the Dominion of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, just to name a few. Each of these individual nations are "states" in their own right, yet they recognize the United Kingdom as the founding member and as such join together in a sort of international fraternity (for lack of a better term).

Answer 2

Commonwealth Versus State

Answer 3

Pennsylvania is another commonwealth, and I believe Mryland is also. It is simply the way these states chose to be termed. There is really no difference other than the word.

Answer 4

Usually none. Virginia calls itself a commonwealth too. It is of historical significance, perhaps, but no practical difference.

Puerto Rico is a true commonwealth. No Senator, no congressman, but somewhat self governing.