Have you ever heard of the Commonwealth? Do you know which Commonwealth countries are the ones that have joined? And what is it for?
Don't worry, today we are going to tell you everything you need to know about this organization, both its history and its the countries that comprise it. Go for it?
What is the Commonwealth
Before going on to talk about the Commonwealth countries, it is important that you know what we are referring to with this term. The Commonwealth, also called Commonwealth of Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, is actually a grouping of a total of 54 countries that share in some way, historical ties with their main country, in this case the United Kingdom.
Why the UK? because this commonwealth it comes from afar and is closely related to the history of the United Kingdom itself. Or more specifically, the British Empire.
To know the history of the Commonwealth we have to go to 1884 where Lord Rosebery used the term "community of nations" to refer to those colonies that were beginning to be independent but, at the same time, they also had relations with the British Empire.
A few years later, in 1921, the term "British Commonwealth of Nations" was used, in Spanish «British Commonwealth of Nations». In fact, it is written in a text signed in the Parliament of the Irish Free State.
Shortly after that date, in 1926, an Imperial Conference was held where it was declared that Britain and her dominions had equal status, but that all of them were united by loyalty to the Crown and that is why they were associated in a group, the Commonwealth.
When World War II broke out, the British Empire was hit hard. to the point that they dismembered him. But even so, many countries are part of this commonwealth, and even more have joined (and others, like Ireland, have disassociated).
Of course, the current organization and the old one do not look alike. In 1947, India wanted to become independent and become a republic. But what he didn't want was to lose his share of the Commonwealth.
Therefore, in 1949. , in the London Declaration, the entry to the countries was rectified, establishing that any republic and/or country could form part of the commonwealth. Cast gave rise to many independent countries deciding to take the step and request annexation to this group.
What is the role of the Commonwealth
We could say that, in general, is to cooperate and collaborate between all the countries of the Commonwealthboth in the political and economic spheres. Although here there is no country that stands out more than another, because as we have seen they are all the same, it is true that The UK has a 'special place', mainly because it is Queen Elizabeth II the main one in the organization, and in many countries (16) consider her their sovereign.
This commonwealth has a Declaration of Principles that acts as a Constitution. It was signed in 1971 in Singapore and in 1991 it was ratified. It establishes that Democracy, respect for human rights and laws, equality and economic development must prevail.
To maintain it, each country contributes an amount based on GDP and population. With that money, all the work they do in the Commonwealth is managed.
Commonwealth countries
And now, let's talk about the Commonwealth countries. Who compose them?
You have to know that is made up of 54 countries around the world. In fact, in each continent there are some countries that are part of it.
Just so you know, they would be:
- In Africa: Botswana, Cameroon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Swaziland, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
- In America: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
- Asia: Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Singapore and Sri Lanka.
- Europe: United Kingdom, Malta and Cyprus.
- Oceania: Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
And yes, as you have verified, Spain is not part of this commonwealth.
Apart from these countries, you should know that there were two that were part of the Commonwealth but ended up withdrawing Definitively. We have already mentioned the first one, it is Ireland that in 1949 decided to leave this commonwealth.
The second was Zimbabwe, which was suspended for non-compliance with the principlesIn 2003, when his suspension was ending, he decided to retire completely.
Many others, such as Nigeria, Fiji, Maldives, Pakistan... have suffered temporary suspensions or withdrawals, but today they are part of the Commonwealth.
How often do countries meet?
As we have told you before, since 1952, Queen Elizabeth II has led the Commonwealth. And since 2018, it is Prince Charles who will lead it. But not because it is the death of his mother, but because it is the member countries themselves those who decide who will preside over it. And since 1952 the trust has always been Queen Elizabeth II.
The meetings of these countries are held every two years in which they discuss matters that may interfere with the organization or that affect the world in general. These are the so-called Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings, CHOGM, for short.
Could Spain belong to the Commonwealth?
The truth is that we have not found any impediment so that Spain could form part, or any other country. The only thing you would have to do is request it and comply with the Declaration of Principles that governs all of them if you don't want to be suspended.
It would also be necessary to assess what the quota would be and if it is really convenient for the country to be in this group that, in case you do not know, the gross of all the countries implies a third of the inhabitants of the planet, since they are from highly populated countries to others They barely have 10.000 inhabitants. In other words, know the benefits and disadvantages that it would bring to the country.
Now it is clear to you both what this community is and the Commonwealth countries that form it. You have doubts? Ask us.