autarky

or au·tar·chy

[ aw-tahr-kee ]

noun

, plural au·tar·kies.

1. the condition of self-sufficiency, especially economic, as applied to a nation.
2. a national policy of economic independence.

autarky

/ ˈɔːtɑːkɪ /

noun

1. (esp of a political unit) a system or policy of economic self-sufficiency aimed at removing the need for imports
2. an economically self-sufficient country

Derived Forms

• ˈautarkist, noun
• auˈtarkic, adjective

Other Words From

• au·tarkic au·tarki·cal adjective
• au·tarki·cal·ly adverb
• autar·kist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of autarky¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Greek autárkeia, “self-sufficiency,” equivalent to aut- aut- + arke-, stem of arkeîn “to be strong enough, suffice” + -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of autarky¹

C17: from Greek autarkeia, from autarkēs self-sufficient, from auto- + arkein to suffice

Example Sentences

"Strategic autonomy doesn't mean autarky," Macron said after the speech at the embassy.

From Reuters

But what about the case for autarky in things beyond food and energy?

From BBC

“Russia, while our Western friends literally dream of this, will never take the path of isolation and autarky,” Mr. Putin said.

From New York Times

But this kind of autarky has a price -- deepening isolation from the world economy, markets and investment, he noted.

From Reuters

“If anything, further sanctions wouldn’t just fail to hurt Mr. Putin’s war cabinet, they would secure its members’ place as the top beneficiaries of Russia’s deepening economic autarky,” Gabuev wrote.

From Washington Post