Pennsylvania is a "Commonwealth" State and Arizona is not. What the differemce between the two?
2007-03-29 15:32:59 · 4 answers · asked by Gold Digger 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
commonwealth
Body politic founded on law for the common “weal,” or good.
The term was often used by 17th-century writers to signify an organized political community, its meaning thus being similar to the modern meaning of state or nation. Today it primarily refers to the Commonwealth. Four U.S. states (Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia) call themselves commonwealths, a distinction in name only.
2007-03-29 15:41:31 · answer #1 · answered by chad k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This designation, which has no constitutional impact, emphasizes that they have a "government based on the common consent of the people" as opposed to one legitimized through their earlier Royal Colony status that was derived from the King of Great Britain. The word commonwealth is of English derivation and refers to the common "wealth" or welfare of the public. In common parlance, people do not make the distinction between state or commonwealth.
2007-03-29 22:40:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not really sure a good question i know that Pennsylvania and virginia are commonwealths. One unique feature about both states is hard liquor can only be purchased from state maintained stores
2007-03-29 22:38:49 · answer #3 · answered by tp7308 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing.
"Commonwealth" is part of the name. Just like "State" is part of the official name of most states.
Ideologically and historically, there are subtle distinctions between the two terms, but they are the same in common usage. Like attorney and lawyer.
2007-03-29 22:50:08 · answer #4 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋