Commonwealth vs. Republic — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 21, 2023
Commonwealth is a political organization within which a collection of states or communities share certain governmental powers. A republic is a form of government where the country is considered a "public matter".
Difference Between Commonwealth and Republic
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Commonwealth is a term used to describe a political community founded for the common good. This could refer to a nation, a state, or even a group of countries, as in the case of the British Commonwealth. Generally speaking, the focus in a commonwealth is more on the collective welfare rather than individual rights.
A republic, on the other hand, is a form of government in which the country's leadership is elected by its citizens. The term "republic" emphasizes the absence of a monarchy and often includes elements like a constitution and separation of powers. The governance of a republic is generally more focused on individual rights and freedoms.
Interestingly, the term commonwealth can also be used to refer to a republic as it denotes a community founded for the common good. States like Kentucky and Massachusetts in the United States are both republics and also officially called commonwealths. Here, the terms overlap, pointing towards a collective focus while also operating as a republic.
However, not all commonwealths are republics, and not all republics are commonwealths. For example, the United Kingdom is neither a republic (since it has a monarch) nor a commonwealth in the way the term is often used today. Meanwhile, France is a republic but not a commonwealth. Overall, while both terms focus on governance, they have different implications and are not interchangeable.
Comparison Chart
Head of State
Varies (can be Monarch or elected)
Elected or Appointed Official
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Focus
Collective Welfare
Individual Rights
Form
Can be a nation, state, or group
Usually a nation-state
Example
British Commonwealth
United States of America
Constitutional Relevance
Not always constitutionally defined
Often has a Constitution
Compare with Definitions
Commonwealth
A term referring to the general welfare or the commonweal.
The commonwealth of the community was improved by the new park.
Republic
A nation-state governed by representatives.
In a republic, elected officials make laws.
Commonwealth
A self-governing, autonomous political unit.
Puerto Rico is a commonwealth territory of the U.S.
Republic
A political system without a monarch.
France transitioned from a monarchy to a republic.
Commonwealth
An old term for a republic in some contexts.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania operates as a republic.
Republic
A community emphasizing individual rights.
A republic focuses on safeguarding individual freedoms.
Commonwealth
An association of countries sharing common objectives.
Australia is a part of the British Commonwealth.
Republic
A governance model with a constitution.
Most republics operate under a constitution.
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".
Republic
A republic (Latin: res publica, meaning "public affair") is a form of government in which "power is held by the people and their elected representatives". In republics, the country is considered a "public matter", not the private concern or property of the rulers.
Commonwealth
The people of a nation or state; the body politic.
Republic
A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.
Commonwealth
A nation or state governed by the people; a republic.
Republic
A political order whose head of state is not a monarch and in modern times is usually a president.
Commonwealth
Used to refer to some US states, namely, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Republic
A nation that has such a political order.
Commonwealth
Used to refer to a self-governing, autonomous political unit voluntarily associated with the United States, namely, Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Republic
A political order in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who are entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them.
Commonwealth
Often Commonwealth The Commonwealth of Nations.
Republic
A nation that has such a political order.
Commonwealth
The English state and government from the death of Charles I in 1649 to the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, including the Protectorate of 1653 to 1659.
Republic
Often Republic A specific republican government of a nation
The Fourth Republic of France.
Commonwealth
(Archaic) The public good; commonweal.
Republic
An autonomous or partially autonomous political and territorial unit belonging to a sovereign federation.
Commonwealth
The well-being of a community.
Republic
A group of people working as equals in the same sphere or field
The republic of letters.
Commonwealth
The entirety of a (secular) society, a polity, a state.
Republic
A state where sovereignty rests with the people or their representatives, rather than with a monarch or emperor; a country with no monarchy.
The United States is a republic; the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a constitutional monarchy.
Commonwealth
Republic. Often capitalized, as Commonwealth.
Republic
(archaic) A state, which may or may not be a monarchy, in which the executive and legislative branches of government are separate.
Commonwealth
A state; a body politic consisting of a certain number of men, united, by compact or tacit agreement, under one form of government and system of laws.
The trappings of a monarchy would set up an ordinary commonwealth.
Republic
One of the subdivisions constituting Russia. See oblast.
The Republic of Udmurtia is west of the Permian Oblast.
Commonwealth
The whole body of people in a state; the public.
Republic
Common weal.
Commonwealth
Specifically, the form of government established on the death of Charles I., in 1649, which existed under Oliver Cromwell and his son Richard, ending with the abdication of the latter in 1659.
Republic
A state in which the sovereign power resides in the whole body of the people, and is exercised by representatives elected by them; a commonwealth. Cf. Democracy, 2.
Commonwealth
The official name of some states in the United States (Massachusetts and Pennsylvania and Virginia and Kentucky) and associated territories (Puerto Rico)
Republic
A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
Commonwealth
A politically organized body of people under a single government;
The state has elected a new president
African nations
Students who had come to the nation's capitol
The country's largest manufacturer
An industrialized land
Republic
A form of government whose head of state is not a monarch;
The head of state in a republic is usually a president
Commonwealth
A world organization of autonomous states that are united in allegiance to a central power but are not subordinate to it or to one another
Republic
A government where the head of state is an elected or appointed official.
The United States is a republic.
Commonwealth
A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
Commonwealth
A political community founded for the common good.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts prioritizes collective welfare.
Common Curiosities
What is a Republic?
It is a form of government where the head of state is elected and there is an emphasis on individual rights.
What is a Commonwealth?
It is a political community focused on the common good, which can be a nation, state, or group of countries.
Does a Commonwealth have a Constitution?
It varies; some do, while others may not.
Does a Republic have a Constitution?
Most republics operate under a constitution.
Are all Republics also Commonwealths?
No, not all republics are commonwealths.
Can a Commonwealth have a Monarch?
Yes, some commonwealths like the United Kingdom have a monarch.
Can a Republic have a Monarch?
No, republics do not have monarchs by definition.
Is the British Commonwealth a Republic?
No, it is an association of countries with varying governance models.
Do Commonwealths focus on individual rights?
The focus is generally more on collective welfare.
Are all Commonwealths also Republics?
No, not all commonwealths are republics.
Are U.S. states that are called Commonwealths also Republics?
Yes, they operate under the republican form of U.S. government.
How is leadership chosen in a Commonwealth?
It varies widely, from elections to royal succession.
How is leadership chosen in a Republic?
Through elections or appointments, as defined by their constitution.
Do Republics focus on collective welfare?
The focus is generally more on individual rights and freedoms.
Are the terms interchangeable?
No, they have different implications and are not usually interchangeable.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
