Self sufficiency the bedrock of attaining true economic freedom by Nations.

[Ryu_Ar1]

In my opinion the better solution is "blocs" not just individual countries trying to be 100% self sufficient and isolate themselves. Because that won't work. It is impossible to gain 100% self sufficiency in this day and age. But being in a bloc (perhaps like BRICS) helps fill the gaps you can't fill on your own.

I like this and it's true for a one-country bloc in fact it's hard and we're finding this in North Korea right now. They may be able to say successful in their own position but in the view of other countries now they still cannot be said to be successful despite being feared (but only because of the armament) for their economy is quite lagging behind. Or reflecting on the past for Japan's isolation era they also did not succeed with it in the global view.

Times are changing and all need each other or rather use each other for their respective interests but when they are in the same block at least they can protect the gap from each member of his group with an excess in other countries and currently still proven when several countries are in 1 block then certainly its strength will increase rapidly.

[Felicity_Tide]

~snip

This story may sound funny but in reality this animal story that may sounds likes an imagination, is the reality that has defined this present generation. Any nation that is on it feets today which is doing well economically is a nation that, has planned and attained self sufficiency. No matter how rich a country is, if such a Nation can't produce what it needs to run the day to day life of her citizens. Then such a nation is prone to manipulation from those nations that has attained self sufficiency.

I find some part of the story a bit confusing, but I actually understood the whole point though.
Well, if there's one thing I have learnt, is that a country with a good economy is never built in a day. It's a process that takes time and genuine efforts from the leaders, and maybe the people as well. A major problem that some countries face, especially third world countries that are underdeveloped, is the lack of continuity, I.e they're quick to start something, but often lose interest in making it consistent.

And this is why i so much respect a country like china a lot. They don't just produce their own items, but they make sure that they replicate almost all items that are available across the globe, and they do it with self sufficiency, while trying to attain a self dependency level. At the end of the day, only the countries with intentional leaders can achieve this.

[Rain1620]

This story may sound funny but in reality this animal story that may sounds likes an imagination, is the reality that has defined this present generation. Any nation that is on it feets today which is doing well economically is a nation that, has planned and attained self sufficiency. No matter how rich a country is, if such a Nation can't produce what it needs to run the day to day life of her citizens. Then such a nation is prone to manipulation from those nations that has attained self sufficiency.

Self sufficiency is very interesting in theory but practically, it’s just an illusion. No country can sufficiently manufacture nor produce everything they need. Too much diversification may result in economic stagnation. Because what do you mean by as a nation you have nothing to import.

Specialization is a primary factor in economic success. No nation can have everything on a platter of gold.
True economic leverage has nothing to with isolation and producing everything on your own. A nation has to come up with strategic ideas and products that other nations can rely on. Independence is providing more to export as much as you import. Foster more security and partnership, it will do more good than self reliance and isolation can ever do.

[PERtua]

This story may sound funny but in reality this animal story that may sounds likes an imagination, is the reality that has defined this present generation. Any nation that is on it feets today which is doing well economically is a nation that, has planned and attained self sufficiency. No matter how rich a country is, if such a Nation can't produce what it needs to run the day to day life of her citizens. Then such a nation is prone to manipulation from those nations that has attained self sufficiency.

Self sufficiency is very interesting in theory but practically, it’s just an illusion. No country can sufficiently manufacture nor produce everything they need. Too much diversification may result in economic stagnation. Because what do you mean by as a nation you have nothing to import.

Specialization is a primary factor in economic success. No nation can have everything on a platter of gold.
True economic leverage has nothing to with isolation and producing everything on your own. A nation has to come up with strategic ideas and products that other nations can rely on. Independence is providing more to export as much as you import. Foster more security and partnership, it will do more good than self reliance and isolation can ever do.

It is impossible to be self-sufficient in today's globalized society. But all countries need to strive to be self-sufficient in essential areas of national security and economic stability like food, energy, and key manufacturing. Pro-Cycling Governments have no choice but to be dependent on imports if they are to use all of these resources.If a country is to use all of these resources, it must be dependent on imports and thus susceptible to pressures from outside, supply chain disruptions, or geopolitical conflict. Meanwhile, specialization and international trade continue to be a key to growth. The best way is to develop national capacity in strategic sectors and, at the same time, trade and develop cooperation with other countries that would benefit both parties economically.

[obuoma]

Your story may sound funny but there is great wisdom buried in it as it confirms the saying that "hard times create strong men and strong men creates good times whereas good times create weak men". This is exactly what is happening in some of the countries with abundant  natural resources like crude oil, gas deposits and many other things, most of those countries are not among the leaders in technology, agriculture and anything that require high mental power. They are comfortably enjoying free money while countries that have nothing build from scratch and are leading in science, technogy and almost every area of life.

[WatChe]

It is impossible to be self-sufficient in today's globalized society. But all countries need to strive to be self-sufficient in essential areas of national security and economic stability like food, energy, and key manufacturing. Pro-Cycling Governments have no choice but to be dependent on imports if they are to use all of these resources.If a country is to use all of these resources, it must be dependent on imports and thus susceptible to pressures from outside, supply chain disruptions, or geopolitical conflict. Meanwhile, specialization and international trade continue to be a key to growth. The best way is to develop national capacity in strategic sectors and, at the same time, trade and develop cooperation with other countries that would benefit both parties economically.

To survive in today's world there are few key areas which you can't ignore like security, food and industry. We have seen that countries that are not strong enough to defend themselves have faced many issues from countries that are strong. We recently saw Venezuela president kidnapping incident, Venezuela has one of largest oil reserves in the world yet they don't have the ability to secure there president. There are areas where a country can rely on imports from other countries but these areas must not be of strategic importance.   

[Bitcoin Smith]

A self-sufficient or self-sustainable economy is just a myth, people are not going to limit their needs and the government can't have everything they want in its own country. We can promote the self sustain economy to increase the consumption of locally manufacture product but for one who does not depend on anyone else other than their own country, it is close to impossible unless they are okay with living like the lifestyle of a cavemen or something.

[arwin100]

A self-sufficient or self-sustainable economy is just a myth, people are not going to limit their needs and the government can't have everything they want in its own country. We can promote the self sustain economy to increase the consumption of locally manufacture product but for one who does not depend on anyone else other than their own country, it is close to impossible unless they are okay with living like the lifestyle of a cavemen or something.

I also find that self sufficient economy way to unrealistic, because as what we have notice many countries right now rely on global trades. They need to diverse since there's no country could able to produce all necessary things that they need at much cheaper cost. They choose to trade with other country to sustain their needs.

Promoting local product still matter at all, this is not about isolating the country with those product they have.

But rather to help its local capabilities then to avoid relying on imports, which can also help the economy to circulate the money inside in their country.

Also it doesn't mean they are cutting off the world and experience those lifestyle what you have said, but rather they can possibly do those matters if they can help improve the local capability so their country will not became so helpful if there's issue happened on global scene.