What does autarchic mean?
Autarchic is an adjective describing something — usually a nation, economy, or community — that is entirely self-sufficient and depends on no external supply, trade, or assistance. It derives from Greek roots meaning 'self-ruling' or 'self-sufficient,' and it appears most often in formal discussions of economics and politics, where historians describe closed economies that sought to produce all their own food, goods, and resources. An autarchic policy typically involves high tariffs, import substitution, and strict control of foreign exchange. The word carries connotations of isolation and deliberate independence, sometimes admiringly, sometimes critically. Writers should note the near-synonymous variant 'autarkic,' which predominates in economic literature, and avoid confusing 'autarchic' with 'autocratic,' a different term describing absolute personal rule rather than material self-reliance.
adjectiveCharacterized by or relating to complete self-sufficiency; independent of outside aid, trade, or influence. Most often used of states or economies that aim to produce everything they need internally.
- (Of a country, economy, or system) fully self-sufficient, requiring no imports, trade, or external support.
- Relating to or characterized by autarchy (economic self-sufficiency as a doctrine or policy).
"The regime pursued an autarchic economic policy, sealing its borders to foreign goods and capital."
"North Korea remains one of the most deliberately autarchic economies in the modern world."
"In his utopian novel, the islanders live an autarchic existence, growing and making everything they need."
The same Greek root that gives us 'autarchic' also gives us 'autocrat' — but one word describes a nation that needs nothing from the world, and the other a ruler who answers to no one.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of autarchic
Autarchic comes from the Greek 'autarkēs,' meaning self-sufficient, formed from 'autos' (self) and 'arkein' (to suffice or be strong enough). It entered English through the noun 'autarchy' in the early modern period, with the adjective following later. The same Greek elements give us 'autarky,' the spelling favored by economists, as well as 'autonomy' and 'autocrat.'
Related word forms
How autarchic is actually used
Formal register, used mainly in political science, economics, and history writing. The variant spelling 'autarkic' (from 'autarky') is at least as common in economics contexts; 'autarchic' pairs more with 'autarchy' in political-philosophy writing.
Easily confused with autarchic
Autocratic means ruling with absolute, unchecked power, while autarchic means economically or materially self-sufficient; a state can be one, both, or neither.
Autistic relates to autism, a neurodevelopmental condition, and shares no meaning with autarchic despite the similar spelling.