Autarkic describes an economic system or a mindset that emphasizes self-sufficiency and independence from external aid. It often refers to policies or states aiming to minimize reliance on external trade or support, prioritizing internal resources and self-reliance. The term can also be used more broadly to denote personal independence in various domains.
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"The island pursued autarkic policies to reduce dependence on imported food and fuel."
"Scholars debated whether autarkic economic models are viable in a globalized world."
"Her autarkic approach meant she grew most of her own vegetables and produced energy locally."
"The documentary explored autarkic communities that adultly sustain themselves without external aid."
Autarkic comes from the Greek prefix auto- meaning ‘self’ and arktos meaning ‘ Bear’ but in this context from arktikos meaning ‘of or for a city’ historically. In modern usage, the word expands from 'autarky' which denotes a state of self-sufficiency, often economic. The root auto- is common across languages (Latin auto- from Greek autos), indicating self-direction. Ark- here is related to archy and arktikos but not the animal ‘bear’ etymology; the Greek arkhos or arkhē refers to ‘beginning’ in some compounds, but autarky derives metaphorically from self-contained sufficiency, not governance. The term entered English in the late 19th to early 20th century, particularly among economists and political theorists analyzing policies aiming to reduce imports. In its evolution, autarkic rose alongside discussions of autarky as a strategic stance during economic blockades and in geopolitical analysis. First known uses include scholarly discussions on autarky’s viability and moral/property implications of self-contained economies, with “autarkic” used to describe related systems, policies, or attitudes. The word has since permeated political philosophy and economic discourse, often signaling an ideal of minimal external dependence rather than a practical universal model.
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Words that rhyme with "autarkic"
-ark sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce as /ˌɔː.tɑːˈkɪk/ (US / UK / AU share the same core). The stress falls on the third syllable: au-TAHK-ic, with a clear secondary stress pattern: al-though the primary emphasis is on -tark-, the final -ic carries a light stress. Start with a long open back vowel in the first syllable, then a low-detailed 'tark' with a rolled or light 'r' depending on accent, ending with a short 'k' and a lax 'ic'. Listen for a crisp voiceless k at the end.
Common errors: misplacing stress (treating as au-TARK-ic); mispronouncing the middle vowel as a short 'a' instead of the broad /ɑː/; or conflating with 'autocratic' leading to /ˌɔː.tɒːˈkɪtɪk/ in error. Correction: ensure the middle syllable features a long open back vowel /ɑː/ and stress the second-to-last syllable: /ˌɔː.tɑːˈkɪk/. Finish with a clear /k/; don’t voice the final -ic.
In US/UK/AU, the core is /ˌɔː.tɑːˈkɪk/. In US, the first vowel may be slightly more open and rhotic consonants less rhoticized; UK tends to non-rhoticity with a longer /ɔː/ and broader /ɑː/; Australian mirrors UK but with a flatter, shorter /ɔː/ and slightly tighter final /ɪk/. Overall, vowel length and rhotics vary, but the stress and core consonants stay relatively stable.
Difficulties center on the sequence /ɔː/ + /tɑː/ that demands long open back vowels and clear separation between the syllables; the /ˈkɪk/ ending requires a crisp stop and short, lax vowel. The combination of a long first vowel, mid-stressed second syllable, and a final hard 'k' can cause tongue tension and syllable tension. Practice slow, then speed up while keeping precise mouth positions, and use IPA cues to maintain accuracy.
No, autarkic is fully pronounced with four syllables: /ˌɔː.tɑːˈkɪk/. Each syllable carries a vocalic nucleus, and there are no silent letters. The challenge lies in achieving accurate vowel length and the final crisp /k/ with appropriate aspiration.
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