Autarky
Autarky refers to a state of self-sufficiency and independence, often discussed in the fields of political science and economics. In military terms, autarky means a nation’s capacity to defend itself without external assistance, asserting that a sovereign state must maintain a monopoly on force within its territory. Economically, autarky denotes a country functioning without trade or exchange of goods with other nations, a concept that has become increasingly rare in today's globalized economy. Historical examples of economic autarky include the ancient Greek city-states, like Athens and Sparta, which managed their economies independently, relying primarily on their agricultural zones.
In modern contexts, North Korea is frequently cited as a contemporary example of a state striving for economic autarky, characterized by limited trade with the outside world and a reliance on aid, particularly from China. However, despite its efforts, evidence suggests that complete economic self-sufficiency is impractical, as demonstrated by North Korea's underground economy that engages in black-market trade. It's important to differentiate between economic independence—where a state can set policies autonomously—and true economic autarky, which implies a complete closure from global trade networks. Overall, the quest for autarky presents complex challenges, revealing the interconnectedness of nations in the modern global economy.
On this Page
Subject Terms
Autarky
The term autarky refers to the condition of being independent or self-sufficient. The concept is most often used in the realm of political science and economics. For example, many nations in the international state system seek to maintain military autarky—the ability to defend their borders without the assistance of other nations. The term autarky can also be used in relation to economics. In an economic autarky—a country or nation state functions without exchanging goods and services with external entities. The pursuit of economic autarky is in many ways a historical concept and is increasingly rare in the modern globalized economic system.
Overview
In political science, military autarky is an essential part of a state’s makeup insofar as a government must have a monopoly on the use of force within a defined territory in order to be considered a state. That is, in order for a territory to be considered sovereign, it can accommodate only one military authority. In terms of international relations, a state’s ability to defend itself militarily is not essential—small states have the option of forming alliances with stronger states or groups of other states.
An oft-cited historical example of economic autarky is the Greek city-state. City-states such as Athens and Sparta functioned economically without reliance on external entities. While trade occurred between disparate territories, the urban center of the city-states was sustained by agricultural zones under its authority. Over time, the ideal of economic self-sufficiency was proven unrealistic as networks of trade extended worldwide. The phenomenon of globalized economic relations has extended into the modern age, making the concept of economic autarky increasingly rare. Today, the economic survival of every nation in the international community is dependent upon trade with external partners.
Perhaps the best example of a state that attempts to exist in a state of economic autarky is North Korea. North Korea’s totalitarian regime conducts little trade with the outside world. This fact, combined with its limited diplomatic relations with any external entities, has earned the country the nickname “The Hermit Kingdom.” The country relies heavily on aid from China and a large percentage of its population suffers from malnutrition. There is an important distinction between economic independence and economic autarky. While its economy is dependent on trade, the political infrastructure of the United States—along with its vast currency reserves—affords it great independence in the realm of economic policy. The same is true for China. Although China’s economy is more centralized, trade with the outside world remains essential, but its enormous currency reserves afford it significant power as an independent actor in the world economy. To the contrary, the condition of economic autarky signifies a system of trade that is closed off from the rest of the world. North Korea’s burgeoning underground economy—a black-market system that imports goods from the outside—is a testament to the fact that any attempt to attain economic autarky in the modern world is not feasible.
Bibliography
Baylis, John. The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations. Oxford UP, 2011. Print.
Bondarenko, Peter. "Autarky." Britannica, 24 Dec. 2024, www.britannica.com/money/autarky. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Dieter, Heribert and Johanna Biederman. "The New Advocacy for Autarky: Self-Sufficiency is Now Once Again Becoming Popular for Geopolitical Reasons." Economists' Voice, vol. 19, no. 2, 12 Jan. 2023, doi.org/10.1515/ev-2022-2003. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Dunne, Tim, Milja Kurki, and Steve Smith. International Relations Theories: Discipline and Diversity. Oxford UP, 2013. Print.
Foxhall, Lin. Olive Cultivation in Ancient Greece: Seeking the Ancient Economy. Oxford UP, 2007. Print.
Johns, Richard Anthony. Colonial Trade and International Exchange: The Transition From Autarky to International Trade. London: Bloomsbury Academic, 2014. Print.
Lankov, Andrei. The Real North Korea: Life and Politics in the Failed Stalinst Utopia.Oxford UP, 2013. Print.
McMichael, Philip. Development and Social Change: A Global Perspective. Thousand Oaks, Sage Publications: 2011.
Organ, Dennis W., Philip M. Podsakoff, and Scott Bradley MacKenzie. Organizational Citizenship Behavior: Its Nature, Antecedents, and Consequences. Thousand Oaks, Sage Publications: 2005.
Rhodes, P.J. The Greek City States: A Source Book. Cambridge UP, 2007. Print.