the commonwealth
Former empire's association
The commonwealth typically refers to a political community founded for the common good, or specifically to the Commonwealth of Nations—the association of countries formerly part of the British Empire.
In American usage, certain states (Virginia, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Kentucky) officially style themselves commonwealths rather than states, though the distinction is purely historical.
The commonwealth games bring together athletes from member nations.
- member statesCountries within a union
- republicState with elected leaders
- English Civil War1640s British constitutional conflict
- public welfareSociety's general health, safety
- democracyRule by the people
justice · federation · equality · social contract · sovereignty · constitution · body politic · fraternity · crown colony · British Empire · colonial legacy · post-colonialism · liberty · American Revolution · self-governance · Enlightenment · civic duty · monarchy
the commonwealthtyranny
Oppressive, absolute governance
despotism · autocracy · dictatorship · absolute monarchy · one-man rule
the commonwealthself-interest
Concern for personal advantage
private property · the elite · special interests · private enterprise · monopoly
the commonwealthanarchy
Disorder from absent authority
failed state · disunion · chaos · lawlessness · balkanization
commonwealth, common, commonly, uncommon, wealth, wealthy, wealthier, wealthiest, commonness