For all intents and purposes, there’s no difference between states that are just states and those that are commonwealths. The only reason for the distinction as far as I can see is for smug teachers to trip up hapless grade-school kids in civics class. I was one of those kids, if you must know, and to be honest the scars still haven’t healed.
The thing is, I’m not alone. Many Pennsylvanians probably don’t even know that, formally speaking, they live in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In fact, even our own state — er, commonwealth — has a hard time remembering the difference.
For starters, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a Department of State. And guess who presides over it? An official called the Secretary of the Commonwealth. There’s a state seal, and it reads “state of Pennsylvania.” The distinction seems to be that “commonwealth” refers to the land and citizens in general, while the word “state” is typically used to denote the government entity that presides over them.
But apparently, no one except grade-school teachers — that is to say, embittered grade-school teachers whose lives have shrunk to the point where they must insist on meaningless distinctions like “state” and “commonwealth” — cares about such things. Pennsylvania was designated as a commonwealth as early as 1776, when it formed its own state — I mean commonwealth — constitution. That means we were a commonwealth before we were part of the United States, and indeed before there was even a United States to be part of. But why did the word commonwealth stick? I went through about a half-dozen state histories searching for the root of the word “commonwealth” in vain.
Eventually, motivated by lingering resentment over childhood injustices, I turned to an old textbook at the Carnegie Library: the Harrisburg-produced 1940 book Pennsylvania: The Story of a Commonwealth. (If they’d had publications with titles like these when I was a kid, I would have known. I’m a victim of the public school system, damn it!) Here’s what the textbook says: “Although the terms ‘state’ and ‘commonwealth’ are interchangeable in this country … officially the designation is ‘Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.’ A commonwealth is a community formed for the ‘common weal’ — that is, for the common good and welfare of all — in which the citizens choose their government and make their laws by majority vote.”
Presumably, communities which aren’t formed for the good and welfare of all — communities formed so that some can oppress the welfare of others — are called despotisms. Or just “Texas.”
In any case, commonwealth just sounds classier, if only because it’s used less often. One hears of “rogue states” like Iraq and North Korea, for example, but never of “rogue commonwealths.” That may be the only reason Pennsylvania hasn’t faced a military threat, when you come to think of it: It sure doesn’t seem to have much to do with the presence or absence of Weapons of Mass Destruction.
At any rate, the word “commonwealth” does carry some history: Along with the word “protectorate” it was used to refer to the government of England during the 1650s reign of Oliver Cromwell and Parliament. (Dozens of former British colonies are still associated under the name as well.) So the word carries with it certain associations that might have appealed to the Enlightenment-era minds of English colonists who helped establish Pennsylvania’s independence. It’s probably no coincidence that two of the country’s three other commonwealths — Virginia and Massachusetts — are also among the most storied of the original 13 colonies. (Kentucky is a commonwealth too, but I’m assuming they just did it to sound cool.)
There is, I should note, another type of commonwealth that is part of the U.S. but different from the 50 states in the union. Puerto Rico is considered a commonwealth of a separate kind: Its residents are U.S. citizens who can enlist in the military and collect Social Security (not at the same time, of course). But they don’t have representation in Congress and are completely ignored in presidential elections.
In other words, it’s a lot like being a liberal in this state … er, commonwealth.
This article appears in Nov 13-19, 2003.
We don’t cotton to despots in Texas. What with our large oil and gas industry and prevalent poultry raising, we’re never short on tar and feathers.
Actually Kentucky was a part of Virginia which was a commonwealth and when it split they decided to KEEP the commonwealth instead of changing it. The naming these territories commonwealths instead of states was the sole responsibility of their representatives and naming them commonwealths was just to strengthen the idea of ” by the people”. Mr. Adams among others lived in a strong political time and wording in that constitution meant “everything” to those representatives.
Your accusations of Texas are wrong. Like Petifogger said before, we don’t put up with despots at all. I’m from Texas and live in Virginia because my husband is military. It’s a night and day difference between the two. Everyday, I find myself remorseful that we ever had to leave Texas. But do us a favor and stay in whatever Commonwealth you come from so us Texans can enjoy our state without you ruining it for the rest of us.
In other words this state runs like its own country not really apart of the united states but to keep the peace.claims the common wealth of its people in general. I agree when it comes to PA..this State is nothing but bullshit looking to rule itself rather then be part of the USA..makeing lots of injuatice with its corrupt government and police force.
There is no difference between Commonwealth and State.
Just like 12 equals Twelve; no difference
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I LOVED THIS
Jim Whalen, I just had something to add to your “analogy”. I believe it would be more accurate to say “twelve is the same as a dozen” when referring to state being the same as commonwealth. That’s okay though, I doubt you were raised in a commonwealth, so I get why you think twelve and 12 are different words that mean the same thing.
Why do you feel the need to belittle the teaching profession in this article? Subtle distinctions between words can often gave a huge impact on their meaning, even if people such as yourself feel insecure about their ignorance and need to resort to name calling. Why not just point your finger at teachers, shout “nerds,” and then give us all a wedgie?
“Hey Teacher, Blow it out your 5 hole”. Why is it that you idiots always feel the need to insert your liberal point of view into every discussion. You were asked to explain the difference between a Commonwealth state and a regular state. When you couldn’t definitively answer the question, you resort to ridiculing Texas???? I’m curious though, “Why Texas?” I know its full of, and governed by, A bunch of “Dumb Redneck Conservatives” but seriously?? Is it because it was voted best state in the country to live, raise children, and to start a business for like the 3rd or 4th year in a row???? Or because it consistently is at the top of the list for states with the lowest unemployment rates????
But I Digress, why I ask can’t teachers just teach the facts to our children and let families, friends and their own individual life experiences develop their political beliefs .
Texas is a horrible state. Ever been to Houston? Even the best area’s around Houston have bars on their window’s, much like Mexico.
the only possible differences are that a commonwealth is based on the peoples having sovereignty, by virtue of being a citizen of the commonwealth as opposed to seeking that from a government; additionally, in some commonwealths you would need to verify your ownership of mineral ownership and surface land ownership, you may be both or just surface owners.
As several have said ignorance is no excuse. If you are going to write an article you MUST get the facts. First Kentucky was a part of Virginia. 2nd these states had declared themselves commonwealths BEFORE there was a USA. And thirdly don’t dog Texas. It is the only state that could succeed and survive. Not to mention prosper. I am not A Texan but would proudly call myself one if such was the case. I am a truck driver, yes we do know how to write! I travel all over and became curious about commonwealths. Thank you
Well JRWhick. That’s the problem. Texas doesn’t teach the facts. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/rewriting-history-texas-tackles-textbook-debate/.
It’s amazing what they get away with down there.
To what extent will a commonwealth resort for the common good of the people? Are they, commonwealths, allowed to resort to tyranny, enslavement or become a theftocracy (for the good of the people) above and beyond the grasp of the laws for the states? What of the people whose rights were impinged upon in order to accumulate wealth for the common good of the people? Are they annihilated, exterminated – terminated with no recourse because all was done for the common wealth for the people?
PA is snooty and the gov can’t even control the legislature to pass a budget before they went on winter break. Than, gov vetoes $30b of the budget and grants $24b in emergency funding. Seems pretty stupid to me.
I Have lived in New jersey, Connecticut,and Washington state before Pennsylvania. The good and welfare is not for all citizens who live there. Each county makes and changes laws every year to benefit not the common folk . Benefits only the corrupt government from highest to lowest positions. So with that i live in a county and watched for 20 years, little by little, corruption got worse the good for citizens became the good of there corrupt asses Tell me how an addict attorney became sober one day got majority votes became district attorney then majority votes to judge . While judge had a thought first time offenders who had alcohol or drug charges need help not jail .. commendable you would think right ? This judge would be founder of a drug court that anyone thinks is for the good and welfare of the community. . Turned into there guidelines that them and there own profited from. OK WAIT FOR IT. He is now president judge who had a horrible tragedy and lost a son relapsed with cocaine had monitoring ankle bracelet on and is still running drug court and presiding over cases ..
Oh its been over a year since then and still president judge. To hell with common wealth states
Enjoyed this article very much. It has my favorite things, history and sarcasm. Laughed out loud.
6 in one hand, half dozen in the other….
Couldn’t help but toss that PA Schuylkill Co. saying in 🙂
Fun Fact:
“Hey. Were are you from?”
“PA. You?”
Theres no need to explain if you were born & raised PA – it’s a dead giveaway lol
People who call the Commonwealth &/or State of Pennsylvania home are the only people in the United States who refer to their home by its abbreviated letters-PA.
Excluding PR but they dont really really count haha
Kentucky used to be part of Virginia. That’s why they adopted the Commonwealth title too
I live in PA and was a elected official. The difference is the system used to govern locally. Many states have the county form of government, which is the dominate form locally. Example: County sheriff has a lot of power to arrest.
In PA, the local municipality has a lot of power. Example: County sheriff has limited power to arrest. We have many local police departments.
This causes problems; we have many local fiefdoms.
Hey, PA is the cradle of the declaration and the constitution, we ain’t perfect.