What Is The Commonwealth In The Walking Dead Vs. Similar Terms?
Alright, let’s talk about the zombie apocalypse. Specifically, let’s talk about groups. You know, the people who decide that wandering around alone with walkers is a terrible idea. And among these groups, there’s one that gets a lot of airtime: The Commonwealth.
Now, the name Commonwealth sounds fancy, right? Like something out of a history book. It conjures up images of a well-organized society, maybe with some posh tea parties and polite discussions about governance. And, well, in The Walking Dead, that’s kind of what they’re going for. They’ve got walls, they’ve got jobs, they’ve even got a governor who’s a bit of a drama queen.
But here’s where my brain starts to get a little twisted. When I hear "Commonwealth," my mind immediately goes to a few other places. And this might be a controversial take, but stick with me.
First off, there’s the Commonwealth of Australia. Now, I’m not saying Australia isn't organized. I mean, they have kangaroos. That takes a special kind of organization. But their "commonwealth" isn't exactly built on fending off flesh-eating ghouls. It's more about sunscreen and blaming the British for everything. Very different vibes.
Then there’s the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). This one is a whole can of worms. After the Soviet Union went poof, a bunch of countries decided to form this… thing. It's like a club where everyone sort of agrees to disagree, and maybe occasionally share a bit of vodka. It’s a political thing, not a "let’s build a fort and avoid the infected" thing. So, yeah, not quite the same.
And let's not forget the general idea of a "commonwealth." It just means a political association or community founded for the common good. Sounds great! Who doesn't want a common good? Especially when the alternative is becoming zombie chow.
But here's my unpopular opinion: The Commonwealth in The Walking Dead… it’s less like a historical "commonwealth" and more like a really, really big, slightly creepy gated community. You know the type. The kind where everyone wears the same brand of khakis and gets really upset if you park your zombie-splattered pickup truck in the wrong spot.
It's like they took the idea of "community" and dialed it up to eleven, then added a dash of "we’re better than you."
Think about it. They have jobs. So organized! Pamperers. Bakers. People who probably just sort of… sit around. Meanwhile, other groups are out there, you know, doing things. Like Rick's original crew. They were the ultimate grassroots movement. No fancy uniforms, just grit and a whole lot of machete action.
And the hierarchy! Oh, the hierarchy. You've got your Governor Milton, who is basically the king of his castle. Then you have your upper crust, who live in the fancy houses. And then… well, then you have the rest. The people who probably spend their days hoping no one notices they’re wearing last season’s apocalypse fashion.
It’s almost as if they’ve forgotten the whole "walking dead" part of the equation. They’re so busy trying to recreate the "before times" that they’re missing the point. The point is survival. The point is not getting eaten. The point is that if you see a shambling corpse, you run. Or stab it. Preferably stab it.
When I think of other "commonwealths," I think of something more… organic. Like a group of survivors banding together out of necessity. Like the folks at the prison, or Alexandria before it got too crowded and complicated. They were rough around the edges, sure, but they felt real. They felt like they earned their right to exist in this messed-up world.
![TWD: Commonwealth vs. Civic Republic Military [CRM] | Who Would Win](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/g0L1pBhnfrk/maxresdefault.jpg)
The Commonwealth, on the other hand, feels a bit… manufactured. Like they found a really big, pre-apocalypse shopping mall and decided to call it home. And then they started handing out roles like they were at a job fair. "Welcome to the Commonwealth! Would you like to be a baker, or perhaps a highly-paid consultant on how to polish silver?"
It makes me chuckle, honestly. This grand name, The Commonwealth, for a place that feels more like a gilded cage. A place where the biggest threat isn't the walkers outside, but the subtle tyranny from within. It’s a fascinating social experiment, for sure. But is it a true "commonwealth" in the spirit of shared struggle and mutual aid? I'm not so sure.
Maybe my definition of a Commonwealth is just a little bit… different. Maybe I prefer my common sense to be a bit more common, and my good intentions to be less about maintaining social order and more about not ending up as a walker's snack. And that, my friends, is perfectly alright by me. Pass the popcorn. And maybe a weapon, just in case.