autarky

American  

[aw-tahr-kee] / ˈɔ tɑr ki /

Or autarchy

noun

plural

autarkies

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

2. a national policy of economic independence.

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autarky British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• autarkic adjective
• autarkical adjective
• autarkically adverb
• autarkist noun

Etymology

Origin of autarky

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

Example Sentences

While autarky is both undesirable and unachievable, dependence on foreign suppliers in key areas such as medical supplies and advanced computer chips can generate dangers to the economy and national security.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

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

From Reuters • Apr. 6, 2023

"The notion of autarky and food security are right up there at the top of policymaking at the moment," he says.

From BBC • Dec. 7, 2022

But as Lighthizer argued in a 2008 New York Times op-ed, it’s also possible to view his approach to trade policy as a middle ground between openness to trade at all costs and economic autarky.

From Slate • May 16, 2017

Today’s technologies make nations, including Iran, porous to outside influences; intellectual autarky is impossible.

From Washington Post • Jul. 29, 2015