Final answer:
The primary characteristic of a traditional economic system is cultural and historical practices. It is guided by traditions and typically involves family-based agriculture with minimal technological development and economic progress.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary characteristic of a traditional economic system is c. Cultural and historical practices. These systems are guided largely by customs, beliefs, and traditions, and tend to be used in parts of the world where these traditions have a strong hold over society, such as in certain areas of Asia, Africa, and South America.
In traditional economies, economic affairs are organized in the same way as they have been historically. This includes occupations staying within the family, typically with most families being involved in agriculture and using time-tested methods to grow their crops. In this economic system, what a family produces is what they consume, and there is little economic development due to the strong adherence to traditional ways.
As a result, traditional economies are often characterized by a lack of technological innovation, and the role of government in such economies can be minimal when compared to market or command economies. Instead, community and familial hierarchies drive the economic decision-making process.