Sjálfstæði

Sjálfstæði is the term used in Icelandic to denote independence or self-government—the condition of being free from external control and able to govern oneself. It can refer to political independence of a nation, autonomy of a region within a larger state, or broader notions such as economic or personal autonomy.

In international usage, related concepts include self-determinination, the right of peoples to determine their political status and freely pursue development. Sjálfstæði thus covers both national sovereignty and various forms of self-rule within larger political structures.

Achieving sjálfstæði typically involves constitutional changes, negotiations, referenda, and international recognition. It may occur through decolonization, secession, or reforms that grant wider self-rule while maintaining ties to a parent state. The path chosen often depends on legal frameworks, historical circumstances, and political will.

A notable historical example is Iceland. In 1918 Iceland became a sovereign kingdom in a personal union with Denmark, gaining formal independence while sharing a monarch. In 1944, following a referendum, it established a republic and full, unambiguous independence.

Today, the term is also used for regional autonomy within multinational states, such as autonomous regions or municipalities seeking greater self-government, as well as for aspects of personal autonomy in legal and social contexts. Sjálfstæði remains a central concept in debates over national identity, governance, and the balance between unity and local control.

See also: self-determinaton, autonomy, decolonization, secession.