You’re right, clumsy wording on my part: the level of technology combined with the managerial attitude spawned by the time dilation of great distance. I’m thinking specifically of The Word for World is Forest and Rocannon’s World, and to a lesser extent in Left Hand, though I’m sure one could find other examples. The narrative and main characters show such Ekumenical disdain for the indigenous populations and it really communicates the sense that if they would only allow themselves to be bettered by Ekumenical knowledge and intellect they’d soon see how to manage their own resources better. (The sexual politics in RW, warring in Left Hand, actual forest husbandry in TWFWIF.)