---
entity_slug: agricultural_market_access_opportunity_cost
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T00:28:21.144012'
overall_score: 4.0
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition is precise and captures a distinct economic concept -
    the specific value lost when farmers cannot access optimal markets due to barriers.
    It clearly distinguishes this from general opportunity costs by focusing on market
    access constraints and their quantifiable impact on agricultural returns.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This concept is well-grounded in Smith's analysis of medieval agricultural
    markets and his critique of institutional restrictions that prevented efficient
    resource allocation. Smith explicitly discusses how transportation barriers and
    market restrictions prevented farmers from maximizing their returns, though he
    may not use the modern term "opportunity cost."
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Exchange" domain placement is exactly correct, as this concept fundamentally
    concerns market access, trade barriers, and the ability to engage in profitable
    exchanges. The entity directly addresses how institutional and physical barriers
    impede the exchange process that Smith saw as central to wealth creation.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity has moderate VSM relevance, primarily mapping to S4 (intelligence/environmental
    adaptation) as it concerns how economic actors gather information about and adapt
    to market opportunities. It also touches on S1 (operations) regarding actual farming
    decisions, but the concept is somewhat abstract for clear VSM placement.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity provides strong explanatory value by illuminating the mechanism
    through which institutional barriers create economic inefficiency - specifically
    by quantifying the hidden costs of restricted market access. It helps explain
    why Smith viewed the removal of such barriers as crucial for economic development
    and efficient resource allocation.
---

# Evaluation: Agricultural Market Access Opportunity Cost

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition is precise and captures a distinct economic concept - the specific value lost when farmers cannot access optimal markets due to barriers. It clearly distinguishes this from general opportunity costs by focusing on market access constraints and their quantifiable impact on agricultural returns.

## source_grounding — 4.0 / 5.0

This concept is well-grounded in Smith's analysis of medieval agricultural markets and his critique of institutional restrictions that prevented efficient resource allocation. Smith explicitly discusses how transportation barriers and market restrictions prevented farmers from maximizing their returns, though he may not use the modern term "opportunity cost."

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Exchange" domain placement is exactly correct, as this concept fundamentally concerns market access, trade barriers, and the ability to engage in profitable exchanges. The entity directly addresses how institutional and physical barriers impede the exchange process that Smith saw as central to wealth creation.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This entity has moderate VSM relevance, primarily mapping to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as it concerns how economic actors gather information about and adapt to market opportunities. It also touches on S1 (operations) regarding actual farming decisions, but the concept is somewhat abstract for clear VSM placement.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity provides strong explanatory value by illuminating the mechanism through which institutional barriers create economic inefficiency - specifically by quantifying the hidden costs of restricted market access. It helps explain why Smith viewed the removal of such barriers as crucial for economic development and efficient resource allocation.
