sjálfstjórnar

Sjálfstjórn refers to a political arrangement in which a region, community, or group governs itself to a substantial extent within a larger state. It denotes self-government and a degree of internal sovereignty that stops short of full independence.

Autonomy can be granted through constitutional provisions, statute, or international treaties and is realized through a regional legislature and government responsible for defined areas such as education, health care, culture, local administration, and sometimes taxation and economic policy. The precise competences and the balance with the central government vary widely; some autonomies exercise broad powers, while others have limited, well-defined authority. In all cases, overarching matters such as defense, foreign policy, and constitutional changes typically remain with the central state.

Autonomy arrangements can be formal and legally protected, sometimes revocable, or subject to negotiation. They may be embedded in a federal, confederal, or unitary state system. In many states, autonomy is used as a mechanism to accommodate regional identities, minority rights, or long-standing historical claims, and to promote regional development while maintaining national unity.

Examples of autonomous arrangements commonly cited include the Åland Islands within Finland, Greenland within Denmark, and various indigenous or regional autonomies in Europe and elsewhere. The term själfstjórnar is used in Icelandic discourse to describe such self-governing arrangements and to distinguish them from full independence.