What are characteristics for subsistence economy?

A subsistence economy has benefits that are few and far between, however they do exist. Thus i will proceed to list them. 1) A subsistence economy only creates enough food for its people so no surplus is created and no food will be wasted through any form of disposal. 2) Many subsistence economy's have many resources but not the technology or wealth to exploit aforementioned resources, thus making them ripe for exploitation by rich capitalists, thus driving up the countries GDP. 3) Workers in a subsistence economy are motivated as they must work hard to feed their potentially starving family's, and if they do happen to get fired they will (with almost no doubt) be led to an early grave. 4) There is no shortage of easily exploitable workers in a subsistence economy as everyone wants work and everyone is willing to receive a pittance for the work, and child labor is not outlawed in many subsistence economies. 5) Governments in subsistence economy's are easily corrupt by rich capitalists (and the government can't be unseated by the citizens in any form of rebellion as they are all to weak) which can potentially drive up standards of living in the country if the government uses any of its money to help citizens. 6) In a capitalist economy wants are said to be 'unlimited'. This is the economic problem. But in a subsistence economy all the citizens want is food, water and shelter. There is no time for luxuriating or dreaming. Hopefully i have satisfied your question, and if not this was difficult so stop whining. But advantages of a subsistence economy? What an odd question. On the contrary the only reason I found this was because i am researching the same topic. Have fun out there ~Dylan F~