sjálfsþurft
Sjálfsþurft is an Icelandic term referring to the state or capability of meeting a group’s or individual’s needs from its own resources, without relying on external inputs. In practice, it covers a spectrum from personal self-reliance to national or regional self-sufficiency, and it is closely related to the concept of autarky in economics.
The concept is used in various contexts. For individuals and households, sjálfsþurft can involve independent food
Benefits commonly associated with self-sufficiency include increased resilience to shocks, reduced vulnerability to external price fluctuations,
In modern discourse, sjálfsþurft is often balanced with the advantages of interdependence and trade. It is