# Agricultural Development Sequence ## Definition The historical progression of agricultural systems from primitive subsistence farming through servile labor, metayer tenancy, and finally independent yeoman farming with secure tenure and personal capital investment, which Smith argues represents increasing economic efficiency. ## Source Chapter Book III, Chapter 2 ## Context Smith traces this developmental sequence to show how agricultural systems evolved toward greater efficiency as legal and social institutions changed, arguing that England's advancement came from adopting the most efficient system while continental Europe remained trapped in less productive arrangements. ## Economic Domain General Theory ---