Whats the difference between a city, a state and a city-state?

Whats the difference between a commonwealth state and a non commonwealth state?

• Im trying to figure out whats the difference between a commonwealth state and a non commonwealth state. I live in VA which is a commonwealth state but Ive never lived anywhere else so I cant compare or contrast anything. I asked a few people and one person told me to that in a commonwealth state can fire a person without giving a reason. Also, please have a website where you get your information from; it cant be wiki. Reason being this is an extra credit assignment and my teacher doesnt want anything from wiki. Please help me:)

• Answer:

  There is no practical difference. The 4 "commonwealth states" (Kentucky, Massachusetts, Virginia and Pennsylvania) use the term to differentiate themselves from other states which evolved from Briish colonies. They are saying as a "commonwealth" they derive their authority from the common consent of the people instead of pre-existing authority from the King of England. Okay, all THAT was from wikipedia. "I asked a few people and one person told me to that in a commonwealth state can fire a person without giving a reason" -- Uh, NO. I haven't found anything else on the net on "commonwealth states". then again, it's YOUR homework, not mine. try www.britannica.com www.encyclopedia.com www.worldbookonline.com I got these from doing a search for "online encyclopedias" in Yahoo web search box. Good luck.