autonomy
aw-TON-uh-mee
/ɔːˈtɒnəmi/
The right or condition of self-government, independent decision-making, or freedom from external control within a specific sphere.
Autonomy exists in degrees and can be granted to regions, organizations, or individuals within an overarching rule.
The story behind the word. From Greek 'autonomia', from 'autonomos' (living by one's own laws), combining 'autos' (self) and 'nomos' (law). Ancient Greek city-states used this term to describe independent self-rule.
Word relationships
- self-governance: 'Self-governance' emphasizes the act of ruling oneself, whereas 'autonomy' highlights political independence from external control.
- dependence: 'Dependence' means relying on external authority for direction and laws.
Commonly confused with
- sovereignty: Autonomy operates within limits set by a higher authority; sovereignty is supreme authority itself.
Word family
- autonomous (adjective): Having self-government or freedom of action.
- autonomously (adverb): In an autonomous manner.
Collocations
- regional autonomy
- grant autonomy
- fiscal autonomy
- greater autonomy
Example sentences
- "The region was granted economic autonomy, permitting local officials to set tax rates independently." Regional governance debate
Memory hook
AUTO (self) + NOM (law) = making your own self-laws. Self-law and self-governance.
When not to use
Do not equate with complete sovereign independence; an autonomous region still forms part of a larger nation-state.
Fun facts
- Spain's 1978 Constitution created seventeen 'Autonomous Communities', giving distinct regions different levels of self-rule.
Related words
Explore more words
autonomous, self-governing, sovereignty, volition, independent, sovereign
Also appears in
- Leadership → Delegation & Empowerment
- Technology → Ethics in Science & Tech
- Law → Legal Rights & Liberties
- Arts & Literature → Censorship & Artistic Freedom
- Philosophy → Free Will & Determinism
- Philosophy → Justice & Political Philosophy
- Demographics & Urban Studies → Indigenous Populations
- Economic Theory & Analysis → Gig Economy & Freelancing
- Education & Pedagogy → Homeschooling & Alternative Ed
- Health Sciences → Medical Ethics & Bioethics
- Media, Journalism & Publishing → Freelance Journalism & Blogging
- Military Science & Warfare → Aerospace Defense & Drones
- Philosophy → Feminist Philosophy
- Political Science & Governance → Regionalism & Decentralization
- Political Science & Governance → Secession & Separatism
- Psychology → Motivation & Drive
- Psychology → Occupational Psychology
- Sociology & Social Anthropology → Tribal Communities & Integration
- Occasions, Holidays & Parties → National Independence Days
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