Autarky

Autarky is a term used to describe the state of being self-sufficient. It usually applies to societies, communities, or entire nations and their economic systems. When an entity practices autarky, it tries to provide for its own needs without relying on outside sources. This can involve an entire country or a specific area, such as a nation trying to produce all its own food or water for national security.

Some countries, like South Korea, have focused on autarky regarding foodstuffs to ensure stability.

The word itself comes from the Ancient Greek words "autos," meaning "self," and "arkeo," meaning "to suffice." In ancient philosophy, the concept had different meanings. Stoics believed autarky meant being independent from external things, including personal relationships. A Stoic sage aimed to be autarkic by depending only on their own virtue. Epicureans viewed autarky as having the fewest possible requirements to live a life of pleasure without pain.

History shows that autarky has been used by many different political groups. Leftist movements, such as anarcho-syndicalists or proponents of African socialism, have used it to build alternative economic structures. They often seek to control resources against systems they view as hostile. On the other hand, some right-wing movements, like nationalists or anti-globalists, use autarky on a smaller scale. They may do this to develop a specific industry or to preserve a social order.

In the ancient and medieval worlds, many societies were naturally autarkic. Nomadic pastoralists and early palace economies often functioned this way. However, during the late Bronze Age, many palace economies began to rely more on trade. This shift may have contributed to the Bronze Age Collapse when multiple crises hit these interconnected systems. Later, in the Roman Empire, groups like the Bacaude rebelled by forming self-governing communities. These communities had their own internal economies and even minted their own coinage.

Some large empires also practiced forms of autarky through strict organization. The Ming dynasty in China once maintained a closed economy with centralized distribution. A hierarchy of bureaucrats managed goods from central depots, including a massive one in the Forbidden City. At that time, it was the largest logistical base in the world. Similarly, the Incan Empire used a system of community levies. This "supply on command" system ensured the empire remained self-sufficient through organized labor.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, autarky appeared in various social struggles. In the antebellum South, some Black communities in North Carolina created "hidden economies" through fishing and agriculture. This self-reliance helped them stay independent from the planter aristocracy. During the early Soviet Union, the government tried "war communism" to achieve self-sufficiency. Later, they moved toward international trade under the New Economic Policy. In Spain, the government of Francisco Franco used autarkic policies due to nationalist ideology and international sanctions.

Modern economic views on autarky are often critical. Most mainstream economists support free trade and the reduction of trade barriers. They argue that protectionism, or limiting trade, has a negative effect on economic growth and welfare. There is a near universal consensus among economists that free trade promotes economic stability. However, some thinkers from developing nations disagree. They have used ideas like "import substitution industrialization" to try and prevent economic domination by wealthier countries.