Self-government, also known as AUTONOMY, is the ability of a group or individual to make decisions and govern themselves without interference from outside forces. AUTONOMY is an important concept in many areas, including politics, philosophy, and psychology. It is often used to refer to the right of a nation or people to determine their own destiny and to make decisions about their own lives. AUTONOMY is also used to describe the power of an individual to make decisions for themselves without the influence of others.