The US Congress approved the constitution (after requiring several changes, especially in its bill of rights) on 3 July of that same year; Puerto Rico’s Constitutional Convention approved it seven days later, and the new Commonwealth status was proclaimed on 25 July 1952. In response, Puerto Rico held a constitutional convention, establishing its own republican form of government and bill of rights. Under the party’s proposal, Puerto Rico would not be a territory but not be a U.S. State or a nation. 1. Pennsylvania is officially a commonwealth, a word which comes from Old English and means the "common weal" or well-being of the public. Today, Puerto Rico remains a Commonwealth. Rico is a territory belonging to the United States, a responsibility of the U.S. Congress under the Territory Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Why is Pennsylvania called a commonwealth? Why is Pennsylvania called a commonwealth? Also known as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the island has its capital in San Juan. The Commonwealth formula did not substantially alter the Island’s legal, political, and economic dependence on the United States. Kentucky is also a commonwealth, as are Virginia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Despite this record, the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico (which is not affiliated to the U.S. Democratic Party and is also known informally as the “Commonwealth” Party) was permitted to place a “Commonwealth” option on plebiscite ballots – one definition of “Commonwealth” in 1967 and a different definition on the 1993 ballot. Puerto Rico, officially Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Spanish Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, self-governing island commonwealth of the West Indies, associated with the United States.The easternmost island of the Greater Antilles chain, it lies approximately 50 miles (80 km) east of the Dominican Republic, 40 miles (65 km) west of the Virgin Islands, and 1,000 miles (1,600 km) … As Americans, Puerto Ricans use the U.S. dollar as the island’s currency and they serve proudly in the U.S. armed forces. One reason Puerto Rico has trouble is that the USA doesn’t allow direct shipping but adds tariffs on Puerto Rico. CC0 Public Domain via Pixabay. Futhermore, while Puerto Rico has a congressional representative, this representativ… What Everyone Needs to Know series on the OUPblog, So when do we talk about this? Such laws and regulations still apply to the people of Puerto Rico without their consent or control. Another benefit the island enjoys is the aid provided by the United States and the tax exemption the island receives; Puerto Rico is exempt from paying federal taxes. So why is Puerto Rico frequently referred to as a commonwealth and what does this term really mean? There have been discussions about making Puerto Rico the 51st state of the United States of America. He is the author, coauthor, or editor of 20 books, including several works about Puerto Rico. more earnestly and assiduously in the island’s current distress. No, Puerto Rico is not an independent nation or country. Puerto Rico meets most of the objective and subjective criteria of conventional views of the nation—among them a shared territory, language, and history, except for sovereignty. The truth is, it is not because Puerto Ricans do or do not want statehood or because being a Commonwealth has a number of benefits. Even though no one can explain why their presence is excluded from the program, this issue would disappear if granted statehood. Oxford University Press'sAcademic Insights for the Thinking World. On Election Day in November 2020, Puerto Ricans voted in favor of a referendum to become a state. Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. 32 of the 50 states used to be territories, so the definition of a territory often includes the fact that the place isn’t yet a state. Puerto Rico is currently a commonwealth of the United States. Today, Commonwealth also means a political unit having local autonomy but voluntarily united with the United States. The United States is composed of 50 states, plus some additional land that belongs to the U.S. and is governed directly by the federal government. Rather, Puerto Rican voters have reiterated an overwhelming preference for US citizenship and permanent union with the United States. In 1952, Puerto Rico got commonwealth status with a local self-government. In 1967, 60% of Puerto Ricans voted to maintain their commonwealth status, while … Puerto Rico’s elected governor appoints all cabinet officials and other key members of the executive branch; the insular legislature determines the government’s budget; and the judicial system amends its civil and criminal code, without federal interference—as long as such measures do not contradict the US Constitution, laws, and regulations. Pro-statehood and pro-independence critics contend that Commonwealth is a colonial status because of the lack of effective representation and unrestricted congressional and executive power over Puerto Rico. In a 2002 poll, 60 percent of those interviewed on the Island identified Puerto Rico as their nation; about 17 percent considered both Puerto Rico and the United States to be their nation; and only 20 percent chose the United States alone. 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