<P> The term `` Commonwealth '' does not describe or provide for any specific political status or legal relationship when used by a state . Those that do use it are equal to those that do not . A traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good , it is used symbolically to emphasize that these states have a `` government based on the common consent of the people '' as opposed to one legitimized through their earlier colonial status that was derived from the British crown . It refers to the common `` wealth '' , or welfare , of the public and is derived from a loose translation of the Latin term res publica . </P>
<P> The term `` Commonwealth '' does not describe or provide for any specific political status or legal relationship when used by a state . Those that do use it are equal to those that do not . A traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good , it is used symbolically to emphasize that these states have a `` government based on the common consent of the people '' as opposed to one legitimized through their earlier colonial status that was derived from the British crown . It refers to the common `` wealth '' , or welfare , of the public and is derived from a loose translation of the Latin term res publica . </P>
what is a commonwealth in the united states
what is a commonwealth in the united states
these states have a `` government based on the common consent of the people '' as opposed to one legitimized through their earlier colonial status that was derived from the British crown
these states have a `` government based on the common consent of the people '' as opposed to one legitimized through their earlier colonial status that was derived from the British crown