Jonah Patel
The term commonwealth has been used in various contexts throughout history, often associated with the British Empire and its former colonies. It generally refers to a political community founded on shared values of equality, unity, and collective governance. In the United States, four states are known as commonwealths: Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia, and Massachusetts. These states adopted the term to reflect their unique historical and political backgrounds, with the Massachusetts Constitution of 1780 being a notable example. The term commonwealth also carries significance in the context of the Commonwealth of Nations, a voluntary association of sovereign states that were historically connected to the British Empire. The evolution of citizenship laws within the Commonwealth, such as in Australia, showcases the complex constitutional and legal relationships between its members.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of states | 4 (in the US); 56 (in the Commonwealth of Nations) |
| Relationship with the UK | Retains constitutional links to the UK; some Commonwealth countries have retained a right of appeal directly to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council |
| Relationship with each other | Not considered "foreign" to each other; citizens were British subjects |
| Governance | Emphasizes the ideals of equality, unity, collective governance, democracy, and self-governance |
| Membership | Voluntary association of independent and equal sovereign states; members include republics, Commonwealth realms, and monarchies |
| Decision-making | Each state is responsible for its own policies, consulting and cooperating in common interests |
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What You'll Learn
The Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth developed from the decolonisation of the British Empire, as its territories gained increased self-governance. The term 'British Commonwealth of Nations' was first coined by Jan Smuts in 1917, and the organisation was created through the Balfour Declaration at the 1926 Imperial Conference. The Balfour Declaration established the United Kingdom and its dominions as "autonomous Communities within the British Empire, equal in status, in no way subordinate one to another in any aspect of their domestic or external affairs, though united by a common allegiance to the Crown". The term 'Commonwealth' was officially adopted to describe this relationship, which was formalised by the Statute of Westminster in 1931.
The London Declaration is often seen as marking the beginning of the modern Commonwealth, as India became a republic, and other nations followed suit, becoming constitutional monarchies with their own monarchs, independent of the British monarchy. The Commonwealth includes 33 small states, many of which are island nations, and works to pursue common goals and values. All member countries have an equal say, regardless of size or wealth, and shape Commonwealth policies and priorities. The Commonwealth Secretariat, which focuses on intergovernmental relations, and the Commonwealth Foundation, which focuses on non-governmental relations between member nations, are the chief institutions of the organisation.
The Commonwealth Charter expresses the commitment of member countries to the development of free and democratic societies and the promotion of peace and prosperity to improve the lives of all Commonwealth citizens. The organisation hosts regular events, webinars, and conferences on behalf of its member countries, and has a network of over 80 civil, cultural, intergovernmental, and professional organisations. It campaigns for special attention to the unique development challenges that small states face, and supports youth empowerment, gender equality, and the use of sport to bring people together. The Commonwealth also helps countries protect their environments, use natural resources sustainably, and tackle and adapt to climate change.
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The four commonwealth states in the US
The United States is made up of 50 states, four of which are officially referred to as commonwealths: Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Kentucky. These states are officially styled as the "Commonwealth of [State Name]." For example, the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The term "commonwealth" is a traditional English term used to describe a political community founded for the common good. It is derived from a loose translation of the Latin term "res publica," which means "the public thing" and is the origin of the word "republic." The term is frequently associated with Great Britain and its ongoing alignment with many countries that were formerly part of the British Empire. In the US, which was once under British rule, the term has taken on a somewhat different meaning. A commonwealth is defined as a political entity founded for the good of the people, not for any one individual, such as a monarch. The term dates back to the mid-15th century and was popularised during the 17th century by political philosophers such as John Locke and Thomas Hobbes.
Virginia was the first British colony in America and the first state to adopt the commonwealth designation. It first used the term during England's Interregnum ("between reigns") period after the execution of King Charles I in 1649. Virginia reintroduced the term when it adopted its constitution on June 29, 1776, likely to emphasise that its new government was based on the sovereignty of the people. Pennsylvania, the next state to become a commonwealth, followed shortly after in September 1776.
Kentucky is the only state outside of the original Thirteen Colonies to use the commonwealth designation. Its current constitution, adopted in 1891, formally declared in the preamble that the official name would be "The Commonwealth of Kentucky."
The commonwealth appellation is merely stylistic and carries no legal or political significance. Criminal charges in these four states, however, are brought in the name of the Commonwealth.
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The London Declaration
The Declaration stated that the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) were united as free and equal members of the Commonwealth of Nations. These nations agreed to freely cooperate in the pursuit of peace, liberty, and progress.
The Declaration also recognised the eight countries as independent and equal members of the Commonwealth, with King George VI as a symbolic head of the association. This symbolised the evolving nature of the Commonwealth, where countries could be independent and have their own forms of government while still being part of the Commonwealth and maintaining a connection to the British Crown.
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Citizenship laws
The Commonwealth of Nations, also referred to as the British Commonwealth or simply the Commonwealth, is an international association of 56 member states, most of which are former territories of the British Empire. The London Declaration is often seen as marking the beginning of the modern Commonwealth, with many nations becoming republics or constitutional monarchies with their own monarchs.
In contrast, other countries may have different requirements for citizenship. For instance, some countries may grant citizenship based on descent ("jus sanguinis"), regardless of the child's place of birth. Additionally, naturalization processes allow individuals to become citizens by fulfilling specific requirements, such as residing in the country for a certain period, demonstrating knowledge of the language and culture, and taking an oath of allegiance.
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Republican status
The term "commonwealth" has different meanings depending on the context. In the context of the United States, four out of the 50 states use the term "commonwealth" in their official names: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. These states adopted the designation to reflect their unique historical and political backgrounds and to emphasize their commitment to democratic ideals such as equality, unity, collective governance, and free participation.
The use of the term "commonwealth" in these states' names is a traditional designation that dates back to the period of the British Empire and its former colonies. For example, the term "Commonwealth of Virginia" was first used in the state's constitution, which was adopted on June 29, 1776, to signify its independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Similarly, Pennsylvania's first state constitution in 1776 referred to the state as both a "Commonwealth" and a "State," a pattern that was perpetuated in subsequent constitutions.
In the case of Massachusetts, the state constitution, written by John Adams and ratified in 1780, officially designated the state as a "Commonwealth." This preference for the term "commonwealth" is believed to be influenced by anti-monarchial sentiments during that period. The Massachusetts Constitution, with its emphasis on self-governance and collective welfare, has inspired democratic governance worldwide.
It is important to note that when referring to U.S. states, there is no legal or functional difference between a "state" and a "commonwealth." The distinction lies solely in the name chosen by these states to reflect their values and historical contexts.
In a broader international context, the term "Commonwealth" often refers to the Commonwealth of Nations, also known as the British Commonwealth. It is an association of 56 member states, most of which are former territories of the British Empire. The London Declaration is often seen as marking the beginning of the modern Commonwealth, where countries became republics or constitutional monarchies, some retaining the same monarch as the United Kingdom but developing independent monarchies.
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Frequently asked questions
The Commonwealth of Nations, also known as the British Commonwealth, is an international association of 56 member states, most of which are former territories of the British Empire.
India is an example of a Commonwealth country. After gaining independence from the United Kingdom, India became a republic and adopted a new constitution in 1950.
The term "commonwealth" reflects a commitment to representative democracy, equality, unity, and collective governance. It also acknowledges the shared history and values of the British Empire and its former colonies.
Membership in the Commonwealth is by common assent of existing members. Countries that gain independence from the UK automatically become members. External territories seeking membership must apply and receive approval.
Yes, Commonwealth countries can be republics. While some retained the British monarch as their head of state, many have amended their constitutions to become republics, such as India and Mauritius.
