Autarky is the term used when a country or economy operates independently. In its most basic sense, autarky means self-sufficiency, although it is almost always used in correlation with a political or economic system, meaning that the entity – whatever it is – can operate and exist free of outside influence, support, or trade.
As the stability of global production has the potential to become more and more uncertain due to man-made disasters such as war, climate change, and political instability, countries are looking toward self-reliance. Many powerful countries are looking inward to determine how much of their needs can be produced within their borders.