Autarky
From Free net encyclopedia
An autarky is an economy that does no trade with the outside world, or an ecosystem not affected by influences from its outside, and relies entirely on its own resources. In the economic meaning, it is also referred to as a closed economy.
Contents |
Origin of Term
The word "autarky" is from the Greek αὐτάρκεια, which means "self-sufficiency" (derived from αὐτο, "self," and ἀρκέω, "to suffice"). In American English it is sometimes confused with autarchy (Greek: αὐταρχία), which either means self-government or government by absolute rule. ("Autarchy" is the British English equivalent of the American word "Autarky"). Libertarian theorist Robert LeFevre used "autarchy" and "autarchism" in the sense of self-government to describe his own political philosophy and to distinguish it from anarchism.
Additional Characteristics of Autarkies
The tendency of autarkies to invade their neighbors in an attempt to increase their access to resources has long been known. The 19th century economist Frédéric Bastiat expressed this knowledge in the following quote "If goods don't cross borders, troops will".
Autarkies in the World Today
Today, economic autarkies (or autarchies) are rare. An example of a current autarky is North Korea, based on the government ideology of Juche (self-reliance). However, even North Korea has a small amount of trade with China and Japan. Bhutan, seeking to preserve an economic and cultural system centered around the dzong, has until recently maintained an effective economic embargo against the outside world, and has been described as an autarky. With the introduction of roads and electricity, however, the kingdom is being forced into trade relations as its citizens seek modern manufactured goods.
Historical Autarkies
The United States, while still emerging from the American Revolution and reeling from persecution by Great Britain, came close to complete autarky in 1808 when President Jefferson declared a self-imposed embargo on international shipping. The embargo lasted from December 1807 to March 1809. [1]
Prior to its opening to the west in the 1850s, Japan was also an autarky.
In the 1930s, the fascist government of Italy imposed autarky after an embargo sanctioned by the League of Nations. Autarky was a primary goal of Adolf Hitler in his aggression in Europe, capturing arable land in Poland to provide for Germany's principal import, food. The first heading of Hitler's infamous Hossbach Memorandum was "Autarchy".
After the victory of Francisco Franco's Nationalist forces in the Spanish Civil War, Spain was embargoed by the Allies; this led to a form of autarky in Spain, symbolized by the Biscúter automobile.de:Autarkie fr:Autarcie he:כלכלה אוטרקית hu:Autarkia it:Autarchia pl:Autarkia ru:Автаркия simple:Autarky uk:Автаркія