# Economic Backwardness

## Definition

The condition of regions or societies that remain at lower levels of economic development due to structural constraints such as limited market access, poor transportation infrastructure, or political barriers to trade. Economic backwardness is characterised by limited specialisation and subsistence-level production.

## Source Chapter

Book I, Chapter 3

## Context

Smith describes inland parts of Africa and northern Asia as remaining in "the same barbarous and uncivilized state" as in ancient times, attributing this to the lack of great inlets for maritime commerce and the distance between great rivers that prevents extensive inland navigation.

## Economic Domain

General Theory

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