What does autarkical mean?
Autarkical is a formal adjective describing something that practices or embodies autarky — complete economic or political self-sufficiency, with minimal reliance on imports, exports, or outside assistance. The word most often appears in discussions of national policy: an autarkical economy attempts to produce everything its population needs domestically, while an autarkical state limits trade and foreign entanglement by design. Historically associated with closed economies such as North Korea's, the term can also be extended metaphorically to any community or system that deliberately sustains itself without external help. Autarkical carries a scholarly, somewhat detached register, appearing chiefly in economics and political commentary rather than casual speech, where the variant 'autarkic' or plain 'self-sufficient' is more usual. It is useful for precisely characterizing isolationist strategies and their consequences.
adjectiveCharacterized by or relating to autarky; economically or politically self-sufficient and independent of outside trade or aid.
- Relating to or characterized by autarky; economically self-sufficient, especially as a national policy.
- (More broadly) Self-sufficient or independent in any domain, not relying on external support.
"The nation pursued an autarkical economic policy, producing nearly everything it needed within its own borders."
"North Korea remains one of the world's most autarkical states, restricting foreign trade to a minimum."
"The commune aimed for an autarkical lifestyle, growing its own food and generating its own power."
From ancient Greece to modern trade wars, 'autarkical' describes nations that try to need no one else — an ideal philosophers praised and economists warn rarely works.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of autarkical
Autarkical derives ultimately from the ancient Greek 'autarkeia', meaning self-sufficiency, formed from 'autos' (self) plus 'arkein' (to suffice or be adequate). The Greeks used the concept both politically and philosophically, notably in Aristotle's discussion of the self-sufficient polis. English adopted the related nouns 'autarchy' and 'autarky' in the seventeenth century, with the adjective forms developing later alongside them.
Related word forms
How autarkical is actually used
A formal, scholarly term found mainly in economics, political science, and history writing. The shorter variant 'autarkic' is more common in everyday usage; 'autarkical' tends to appear in academic prose.
Easily confused with autarkical
Autarchy is the noun naming the condition of self-sufficient rule or economic independence, while autarkical is its adjective describing systems, states, or policies that exhibit it.