Is the US 46 states and 4 commonwealths or 50 states?

13 comments

1. The commonwealths are also states.

2. I live in one of the four commonwealths, it’s still a state.

3. There are 50 states, 4 of them call themselves commonwealths. It is in name only.

4. What does being a commonwealth even mean? As far as I’ve been made aware, back when I was in school we were taught that there are fifty states. Thus, the fifty stars on the flag

5. Because of shit that hasn’t mattered much for over 300 years.

6. Functionally, there are fifty states. The four commonwealth have statehood and are afforded the same rights as the other states under the constitution. Our founders preferred to use commonwealth in the name.

7. “Commonwealth” is just a style choice. The term is synonymous with “republic” in the context of America, and *all* states are themselves definitionally republics.

8. Check out this [article](https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/whats-the-difference-between-a-commonwealth-and-a-state#:~:text=The%20distinction%20is%20in%20name,’%20and%20a%20’commonwealth’.) It really helps explain it.

9. In theory, it’s because of a perceived anti-monarchical connotation to the term “commonwealth” that 18th century political writers wanted to take advantage of.

   In practice, it’s just a stylistic choice with no actual difference.

10. All the Commonwealths are States, but not all States are Commonwealths.

11. Legally and constitutionally being called a commonwealth has no bearing. All the commonwealths are just states that use the name commonwealth.

12. 50 States

13. The commonwealths are states. The commonwealth term refers to their internal organization of governance but in relation to the federal union they are states exactly like all the others.