Early tomorrow morning, Australian Eastern time, the 2026 Commonwealth Games will begin in Glasgow.

With the FIFA World Cup only just in the rearview mirror, Australians will once again be able to enjoy the sporting achievements of elite athletes. And as always at the Commonwealth Games, there is likely to be plenty of medals – Australia has been by far the most successful nation since the event was launched as the British Empire Games in 1930.

Nevertheless, some may wonder what is the point of dominating an international sporting competition without world powers such as the United States, Russia and China?

Athletes at the games once came from the British Empire. Today, they come from the Commonwealth of Nations.

So what does it mean to be in the Commonwealth these days, and what future does it have?

Once mighty British Empire

The British Empire was the largest in history. At its peak following the first world war, it controlled a quarter of the world’s territory and nearly a fifth of its population.

But even as it grew in the 19th century, several of its colonies agitated for democracy and a degree of self-rule. In particular, the white settler colonial societies called for responsible government, meaning local parliaments – rather than the British-appointed governor – would have the final say on laws.

In 1848, Nova Scotia on Canada’s eastern seaboard became the first colony in the British Empire to receive responsible government. Others in Canada, Australia and New Zealand soon followed. After Confederation in 1867, Canada was seen as the first independent nation within the Empire.

In the early 20th century, the term “dominion” was used to describe........

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