The main difference between the Commonwealth and State is that the Commonwealth is related to the intergovernmental organization of 53 member states, mostly former territories of the British Empire are, while State refers to a politically organized body of people usually occupying a definite territory, the is sovereign .
Commonwealth is traditionally known as the unity of certain nations or states of the world under a single goal. On the contrary, the state is a sovereign territory under the independent control of the government . Nonetheless, there is still confusion among people as to whether “Commonwealth” and “State” mean something similar, especially when it comes to the four United States that use the term “Commonwealth” in their names. This article will dispel your doubts about this.
Key areas covered
1. What is Commonwealth - Definition, Usage, 2. What is State - Definition, Features 3. Difference Between Commonwealth and State - Comparison of Key Differences
key terms
Administration, Commonwealth, State, Units, Politics
What is a Commonwealth?
The Commonwealth refers to the intergovernmental organization of 53 member states, most of which are former territories of the British Empire. However, “Commonwealth” also refers to “an independent state or community, particularly a democratic republic” (particularly in relation to the US and some other states).
Hence the term Commonwealth and Commonwealth has two meanings; Note the upper and lower case of "C" according to these two meanings.
- Commonwealth or The Commonwealth (Commonwealth of Nations): The union of 53 nations on 6 continents, united by bonds alongside the colonies of former British rule, in order to create lasting prosperity in these countries.
- Commonwealth (usually spelled with a simple 'c'): An independent state or community, particularly a democratic republic in the United States
The first use of the word Commonwealth, "Commonwealth", also known as "The Commonwealth" or the Commonwealth of Nations ", includes 53 former colonies of the British Empire such as Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Dominica, Ghana, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Pakistan etc.
Figure 1: The Commonwealth
In addition, membership in the Commonwealth is voluntary; therefore not limited to the former colonies. This emerges from the recently acceded two members of the Commonwealth: Mozambique and Rwanda, who have no historical connection with the British Empire.
Figure 2: Commonwealths of the USA
The second use as "Commonwealth" essentially refers to a state, as that term is used to refer to one of the fifty states in the United States. There are four states that have adopted the term “Commonwealth” in their official names. Namely, these states are Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Virginia, and Massachusetts. In these states, the term “Commonwealth” appears in their full state name and in their legal documents such as the state constitution.
In addition, Peutro Rico is also referred to as the Commonwealth; this shows a place that is voluntarily associated with the US
Therefore, when the term Commonwealth is used to refer to any of these US states, there is no difference between what is defined as a state and Commonwealth . The distinction only comes in their name alone.
What is a state?
A state can be defined as a “politically organized body of people who inhabit a defined geographical unit with an organized, legitimate government”. In short, the state is a "politically organized body of people that normally occupy a certain territory that is normally sovereign". So a state is a political association. This political organization essentially has a centralized government that maintains the monopoly of the legitimate use of force within its geographic area. This typically gives it the status of sovereignty.
Hence, one state differs from another in that it has its own independent structure of political authority and its ties to separate physical territories. In addition, in order for a particular community, living in a particular geographic area, or political community to achieve “State” status, they must meet several requirements or qualifications. According to the Montevideo convection (1933) of international law, there are four basic requirements for being a state, such as:
- Permanent population; a recognized number of people permanently residing in the area
- Defined Territory: a geographical piece of land with clearly defined boundaries
- Government: a proper ruling government
- Recognition: official recognition of the international community as an independent state
Figure 3: States
In addition to these basic qualifications, sovereignty is also seen as a prerequisite, although it was not originally mentioned in the Convention. However, the concept of sovereignty is still controversial internationally. Nevertheless, there are currently around 195 sovereign states in the world.
Difference Between Commonwealth and State
definition
Commonwealth or The Commonwealth is an intergovernmental organization of 53 member states, most of which are former territories of the British Empire. However, the term Commonwealth is a term used by one of the four US states in their official name. The state, on the other hand, is a politically organized body of people that usually occupies a certain territory that is usually sovereign.
nature
While the Commonwealth or The Commonwealth is a unit of 53 states that were formerly under the British Empire, the state is a political association of an internationally recognized community in a territory (usually sovereign). Hence, Commonwealth (in the US states) means the same thing.
government
In addition, Commonwealth countries have different forms of government among themselves, even though they are united for one purpose.
The government within a state is unanimously accepted by its people. Similarly, like most US states, Commonwealths have Republican forms of government.
diploma
The two terms commonwealth and state are confusing to many, as the term commonwealth refers to one of the four states in the United States. It should be noted, however, that in this case the Commonwealth (spelled with the simple 'c') is used instead of 'Commonwealth'. Commonwealth therefore typically refers to the union of the 53 states that were formerly under the British Empire. This is the difference between the Commonwealth and the State.
Reference:
1. “Commonwealth (US state).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, Aug. 18, 2018, available here . "Community of Nations". Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, August 20, 2018, available here. 3. “The definition of a state //.” Finnish Parliament - Home page, available here .4. “State (Politics).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, August 18, 2018, available here .
Image courtesy:
1. “Member States of the Commonwealth of Nations” By Rob984 - Derived from file: BlankMap-World-Microstates.svg (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia 2. “Map of the USA Commonwea” (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia 3. “Political World Map, April 2001” by Norman B. Leventhal Map Center (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
