Concept in Definition ABC

The term autarky is used to designate that type of economy, politics or society that relies on its own resources without requiring or maintaining contact with the outside. Autarky is a characteristic phenomenon of some historical stages due to different reasons, as well as the historical particularities of each country. Normally, autarky is not a sustainable situation at present due to the high interconnection and exchange economic that exists between different parts of the planet.

In all human societies there are two main axes that determine the development of a community: the economy and politics. From a political and economic point of view, various models have been implemented: the slave system, the feudal system or the mixed economy that emerged from the capitalism and the doctrine socialist. One of the most unique systems has been autarky.

It is characterized by the following features: a clear nationalist component, an isolated political regime and rejected by the international community and an economy contrary to the free movement of goods and capitals. Under normal conditions, no country chooses an autarkic system

Autarky on a human scale

Although this term is normally applied in relation to the economic policy of some countries, it should not be forgotten that it is also used to refer to certain human situations. Thus, an autarkic person is someone who is independent and does not need anyone's help to fend for himself. This individual will tend to isolation and will avoid contact with other people as much as possible.

The notion of autarky can be applied to many areas of human life. In this sense, autarky can be defined as the ability to carry out different activities or have certain freedoms to act independently and without the need to be controlled or dominated by an entity higher. Thus, this notion can be applied to institutions or entities that, being autarkic, do not depend on governments or other institutions.

However, the word autarky is normally related to aspects of the economy when a region or country produces the elements it consumes and does not require the intervention of trade with other regions. This policy of autarky at the economic level becomes common when nations seek above all to protect the industry or local production versus the entry of foreign products that are neither more nor less than competence. Autarky, without a doubt, can be beneficial for the region since it eliminates direct competition, but it can put it at risk also since it supposes that the products of the autarkic region in question cannot be traded and exported to other regions.

This model of society is related to totalitarian regimes or to countries isolated from the international scene.

The main premise of an autarkic country is the following: all the resources that are used are extracted by and within the same country. As is logical, this has a consequence of great impact on the economy, the disappearance of foreign trade. In other words, exports and imports are no longer part of a country's economy.

On occasions, some countries have made the decision to take some kind of autarkic measure, such as the imposition of tariffs or strict border control to impede the entry of products foreign.

The case of Spain after the civil war (1936-1939)

In the post-war period there were food shortages and this favored the black market, also known as black market. The state imposed food rationing to guarantee the survival of the population. On the other hand, during those years there was a long period of drought.

In this context, the country was politically isolated because the legitimacy of the regime was not internationally recognized. An autarkic system was promoted from the state itself that would allow economic self-sufficiency and in this way there would be no economic dependence on other countries.