---
entity_slug: foreign_market_access
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:29:42.837827'
overall_score: 4.4
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes foreign market access from domestic
    market access and specifies the mechanisms that restrict it (tariffs, prohibitions,
    navigation laws). It avoids circularity and captures a distinct economic concept,
    though it could be slightly more precise about what constitutes "ability" in practical
    terms.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This concept is directly grounded in Smith's analysis of the mercantile
    system in Book IV, Chapter 8, where he extensively discusses how nations attempt
    to secure access to foreign markets while restricting their own. The contradiction
    between opening foreign markets and closing domestic ones is a central theme in
    Smith's critique.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Exchange" domain is perfectly appropriate since foreign market access
    is fundamentally about the ability to engage in international trade and exchange
    relationships. This concept sits at the heart of commercial exchange between nations.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps well to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as
    it involves understanding and adapting to foreign market conditions and opportunities.
    It also has relevance to S5 (identity/policy) since decisions about pursuing foreign
    market access reflect national economic identity and strategic policy choices.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity illuminates a key structural mechanism in Smith's analysis
    of how the mercantile system creates contradictory policies and distorts natural
    trade patterns. It explains why nations engage in complex political negotiations
    rather than focusing on competitive production, adding genuine insight into mercantile
    logic.
---

# Evaluation: Foreign Market Access

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes foreign market access from domestic market access and specifies the mechanisms that restrict it (tariffs, prohibitions, navigation laws). It avoids circularity and captures a distinct economic concept, though it could be slightly more precise about what constitutes "ability" in practical terms.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This concept is directly grounded in Smith's analysis of the mercantile system in Book IV, Chapter 8, where he extensively discusses how nations attempt to secure access to foreign markets while restricting their own. The contradiction between opening foreign markets and closing domestic ones is a central theme in Smith's critique.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Exchange" domain is perfectly appropriate since foreign market access is fundamentally about the ability to engage in international trade and exchange relationships. This concept sits at the heart of commercial exchange between nations.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity maps well to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as it involves understanding and adapting to foreign market conditions and opportunities. It also has relevance to S5 (identity/policy) since decisions about pursuing foreign market access reflect national economic identity and strategic policy choices.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity illuminates a key structural mechanism in Smith's analysis of how the mercantile system creates contradictory policies and distorts natural trade patterns. It explains why nations engage in complex political negotiations rather than focusing on competitive production, adding genuine insight into mercantile logic.
