Foundations of Economic Self-Sufficiency

By Mr. K

I am exploring the fundamental building blocks of an economy that is self-sustaining and operates with minimal interaction with the outside world. To understand this concept clearly, we must begin by considering certain constraints. These constraints help us grasp how an economy truly functions and how an individual or a group of people can achieve meaningful economic growth.

Before diving deeper, let us clarify a few definitions:

However, before answering these questions, it is essential to identify the most fundamental needs of any living being. At the most basic level, these needs can be broken down into three essential components:

These three are the core necessities required for survival. Everything else—such as shelter, protection from nature, and defense—can be considered secondary.

The Essentials, One by One

Oxygen and Food

We cannot be 100% independent when it comes to oxygen and food. We need plants, trees, and aquatic life to provide both. In return, they need carbon dioxide. However, since the atmosphere already contains sufficient CO₂, they do not depend on us as much as we depend on them.

Therefore, the first step we must take is to plant trees. This single action fulfills two fundamental needs: oxygen and food.

We must also grow our own food. The choice of food is a separate and important topic that I will cover in a future article. For now, it is enough to say that we cannot rely indefinitely on the current food systems. We need to dig deeper—perhaps even look back into the past—to rediscover ways to become independent in food production.

Water

Water is an essential need. Unfortunately, most of the water sources available to us today are contaminated by dust, chemicals, and microplastics—posing a serious threat to the human race. For centuries, humans have depended on rivers, lakes, and groundwater to meet this need. However, this is no longer sufficient. We must innovate further.

We need:

We must learn to gather water from the environment itself. In simple terms, we need to arrange every possible method to harness even a single drop of fresh water.

Once oxygen, food, and water are secured, we become self-sufficient in our most essential needs. Only then can we meaningfully think about economic growth and development.

Economic Growth

What is economic growth? Is it the accumulation of wealth? If so, what is real wealth? Is technological advancement the same as economic growth? And how far should growth go?

Let us ask AI. AI says:

Economic growth refers to an increase in the value of goods and services produced by an economy over time.

In simpler words, it means a country is making more things, earning more income, and becoming richer than before.

Key points:

  • It is usually measured by real GDP (Gross Domestic Product), adjusted for inflation.
  • Growth occurs when businesses produce more, people earn and spend more, technology improves, skills increase, and investments rise.

Why it matters: Higher living standards, better public services, reduced poverty, and increased government revenue.

Why I Disagree

I believe this definition is incomplete, and I do not agree with it. To me, true economic growth means:

It means no human being goes hungry. It means every person can live a healthy life and die with dignity and freedom. The wealth a person accumulates should be sufficient to handle emergencies and reasonable comforts—without harming nature or any other creation of Earth.

That, to me, is growth.

A country is truly growing if:

That is what I consider growth.

A Vision of a Grown Society

Imagine living in a country like this. You do your work—growing your own food, planting trees, harvesting water. You sell your goods and sometimes your services to others. In your free time, you serve the community, enjoy nature, travel, embrace wildlife, and explore scientific discoveries—without forgetting the core animation of life.

The collective aim of every human in such a society is to sustain this growth and prepare for any situation, whether natural or otherwise. This is real growth.

I am speaking of a civilization capable of exploring other planets, going beyond the solar system, while sustaining humans, animals, and plants sustainably—ideally, infinitely. As individuals, we may not live forever. But if we contribute toward sustaining life itself, then when life returns again, it will return into something worth living. Otherwise, existence becomes hollow—like a zombie state. It is that simple.

A Model of True Development

This is the true model of development, governed by a few fundamental laws:

  1. Never hurt nature: Do not go against nature. If you cannot reverse the harm you cause, do not act.
  2. Never harm a living being without solid reason: The only justification is when life itself is threatened and the core aim—sustaining life infinitely—is at risk. Only then are you free to develop.

Measuring Development in Reality

A society can be considered developed if:

Such a civilisation may appear god-like. But remember: a true god never harms without cause. If a civilisation possesses lethal weapons, I believe it is not truly developed—and will eventually eradicate itself.

On Genetic Strength and Diversity

Another important factor is cross-breeding. As much as possible, genetic diversity strengthens a civilisation. In computer science, merging different feature branches creates stable and resilient software over time—much like Git. DNA functions in a similar way. It is our biological version-control system, maintaining resilience through diversity.