What does autarkic mean?
Autarkic describes something that is economically self-sufficient — a country, region, or system that produces everything it needs without relying on imports or trade with outsiders. The term derives from Greek roots meaning 'self-sufficing' and is closely tied to the noun 'autarky', which names the condition or policy of such independence. In modern usage, autarkic most often appears in discussions of national economic policy: historians describe mercantilist empires as pursuing autarkic goals, while commentators may criticize contemporary governments for adopting autarkic tendencies that isolate them from global markets. Beyond economics, the word can describe any self-contained entity, such as a commune or community that meets its own needs internally. Because genuine self-sufficiency is rare and difficult to achieve, autarkic frequently carries a slightly skeptical or critical tone, suggesting impractical idealism or deliberate isolationism. It remains a formal, learned term common in academic and journalistic writing.
adjectiveEconomically self-sufficient; not relying on imports or trade with other countries. More broadly, independent or self-contained in nature.
- (of a country or economy) economically self-sufficient; not dependent on imports or foreign trade.
- (more generally) self-contained or independent; requiring nothing from outside itself.
"The country pursued an autarkic economic policy, aiming to produce everything its population needed domestically."
"After the war, the nation adopted an autarkic stance, severing most ties with international markets."
"The commune aimed for an autarkic lifestyle, growing its own food and generating its own power."
North Korea is one of the few modern nations still officially committed to an autarkic ideal — a policy of total economic self-reliance called Juche.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of autarkic
Autarkic derives from the Greek 'autarkēs', meaning 'self-sufficing', formed from 'autos' (self) and 'arkein' (to suffice or be sufficient). The related noun 'autarky' entered English earlier, borrowed via Latin and French, with the adjective following as a natural derivative. Cognate terms sharing the 'auto-' prefix include autonomous, autobiography, and autocracy, though only some also carry the sufficiency root. The word has been used in English since at least the early modern period to describe both economic independence and philosophical self-sufficiency.
Related word forms
How autarkic is actually used
Formal register, used primarily in economics, political science, and history. Often carries connotations of isolationism and can imply criticism when used about modern economies, since complete autarky is widely considered impractical.
Easily confused with autarkic
'Autarchic' relates to absolute rule or self-governance (from Greek 'archein', to rule), while 'autarkic' relates to economic self-sufficiency (from Greek 'arkhein', to suffice); in practice the two words are sometimes used interchangeably but have distinct etymological roots.