No one has to DEFINE this. Just look around and see which of the nations are working on the cutting edge of knowledge February 2009. They are forward looking.
And the ones who are not working on the cutting edge of knowledge, they off course are "backwards" or retarded.
What do you mean by working on the cutting edge of knowledge? That is also an ambiguous statement. Does that mean advanced technology? Higher level of education?
As for your statement of unity, the ummah needs to be united on the basis of kalima and obedience to Allah alone. Everything else secondary.