Final answer:
The correct barrier to economic development represented by the examples is widespread disease, as the high rate of HIV infection significantly impacts the health and development potential of a nation, aggravating other issues such as political instability and inadequate education.
Step-by-step explanation:
The barriers to economic development illustrated in the given examples include a high rate of HIV infection, the use of children as soldiers in Uganda, and low literacy rates due to limited exposure to education. These issues highlight the widespread challenges that hinder a country’s ability to progress economically. Given the context provided in the various examples, the most accurate answer is choice C, widespread disease. The high rate of HIV infection is directly related to health concerns, which are compounded by factors such as political instability, inadequate healthcare and education infrastructure, and low levels of human capital investment. These factors critically affect a society’s wellbeing and capacity to develop.