In Schivelbusch’s fourth chapter titled “Back to the Land,” the author discussed the term “autarky,” or national economic self-sufficiency, which became the watchword of the 1930s. More than just an economic concept, the idea of autarky was applicable to nationalism as well. Schivelbusch noted that by 1933, nationalism was more than one hundred years old, and its popularity rose and fell in cycles corresponding in contrast with cosmopolitanism.1 However, the Great Depression led to the rediscovery of the nation and its embodiment (the state).… Read the rest here
Tag Archives: autarky
Autarky Envisioned
The idea of autarky was present throughout all of Europe as each nation was affected by the Great Depression. As the Depression impacted each nation’s economy, a new ideology needed to be introduced to the capitalist society. Individuals were against the rapidly growing materialistic and capitalistic world as it could be the only explanation for the Depression. But how was autarky envisioned in the totalitarian state such as Germany and Italy, alongside the democratic United States? … Read the rest here