What is the difference between commonwealth and republic

Comming vs. Label vs. Genius vs. Speech vs. Chief vs. Teat vs. Neice vs. Buisness vs. Beeing vs. Amature vs. Lieing vs. Preferred vs. Omage vs. Finally vs. Attendance vs. Latest Comparisons Tubercule vs. Glyptal vs. Faucet vs. Com vs. Destroyable vs. Aboriginal vs. So why are they called commonwealths? Well, their constitutions simply deem them such. According to one commonwealth's web site Massachusetts—the one in which Merriam-Webster is headquartered , the term commonwealth was preferred by a number of political writers in the years leading up to , when the Massachusetts constitution officially designated the state as such; the preference is believed to have existed perhaps because there was "some anti-monarchial sentiment in using the word commonwealth.

That notion might seem strange to those familiar with another use of the word commonwealth. The Commonwealth with a capital C is an association of sovereign states consisting of Britain and a number of countries that were formerly under its rule. Membership in the Commonwealth is voluntary, and not restricted to former colonies; both Mozambique and Rwanda—the two most recent members to join—are members despite having no historical tie to the British Empire.

They are not states, and have only a nonvoting representative in Congress. The confusion between Commonwealth and Republic lies in the fact that a Republic too refers to a state where the supreme authority or sovereignty is vested in the people. This is also termed a Republic form of government wherein the public, who have the right to vote, elect representatives to exercise this power on behalf of them. Thus, a Republic is ruled by elected representatives as opposed to kings, queens or other types of monarchs.

Under a Republic, the leadership of a state is not acquired by divine right or inheritance. For example, the Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Thus, it can further mean an independent country or community within another country. Test yourself with our quiz!

Whether you need one-on-one or group study sessions, Dictionary Academy tutoring is custom-fit to meet your learning needs. Feedback Tired of Typos? Word of the Day.

Meanings Meanings. Which States Are Commonwealths? State Vs. What does commonwealth mean? Which states are commonwealths? What is the difference between a state and a commonwealth? How to use commonwealth vs.