What is Commonwealth

A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good.

Historically it has sometimes been synonymous with “republic”.

The noun “commonwealth”, meaning “public welfare general good or advantage”, dates from the 15th century.

Modern usage:

A title. It “does not describe or provide for any specific political status or relationship” in US.

• 3 countries: Australia, Bahamas, Dominica
• 4 US states: Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia
• 2 unincoporated insular territories of US: Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico.
• A few international bodies: e.g. Commonwealth of Nations, an organization primarily of former territories of the British Empire, which is often referred to as simply “the Commonwealth”.