
It simply means they’ve adopted the British term for providing for the “common good” or the “common wealth” of its citizens. Why is Pennsylvania called a commonwealth instead of a state? As such, they share a strong influence of English common law in some of their laws and institutions. “Commonwealth” is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. What does it mean for a state to be a commonwealth?Ĭommonwealth is a term used by four of the 50 states of the United States in their full official state names.

5 What is the difference between a commonwealth and territory?.4 Why are four states called commonwealths?.


