Is a comma required after the word "differently"?

Question

It is known that governments and economics function uniquely across states and serve their populations differently, and that some are easier to maintain given the nature of their populations.

Is a comma required after the word "differently"? Why or why not?

Answer 1

No, you don't add a comma there. Because you're introducing a second idea, it's necessary to divide the ideas with a comma. Remember, when it seems like you're creating a list or a cause/effect, you'll need a comma to indicate that. I hope this helps!

Answer 2

Another way to look at this is that the comma creates another idea and the words of the remaining clause needs to also form a complete sentence.

Because the second part is a fragment sentence, we don’t add the comma. The whole sentence is a long compound sentence.