what does it mean to be part of the commonwealth

to maintain Puerto Rican policies it may no longer want by mandating a “mutual consent” clause in an initial U.S.-Puerto Rico pact. Under a proposed “enhanced commonwealth” government, Puerto Rico could ignore federal laws, sign treaties with foreign countries, and receive federal funding with no strings attached, all while possessing irrevocable U.S. Since 1952, the term “commonwealth” has evolved to describe a potential relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico in which Puerto Rico is given special rights and privileges greater than those enjoyed by states.

So why is Puerto Rico frequently referred to as a commonwealth and what does this term really mean? The answer to the first part of this question is clear: some people began to call Puerto Rico a commonwealth in 1952 after Congress approved its local constitution, the “Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.” At the time, Congress was explicit that its gift of local power did not lessen federal control over the Island or change its status as a territory. Clearly, these states are no different from states like California and Arkansas, which do not refer to themselves as a commonwealth. Kentucky is also a commonwealth, as are Virginia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Puerto Rico is often called a commonwealth, but that is actually just a word in the official title of the government of Puerto Rico.

What does it mean to be part of the commonwealth