---
entity_slug: market_access_inequality
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:43:39.970350'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly identifies a specific phenomenon - unequal economic
    opportunities based on geographical access to trade - and explains its mechanism
    and consequences. It avoids circularity and captures a distinct concept, though
    it could be slightly more precise about what constitutes "market access."
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's explicit analysis in Book
    I, Chapter 3, where he extensively discusses how coastal regions and areas with
    navigable waterways develop industry while inland areas remain economically backward.
    The context accurately reflects Smith's geographical observations about economic
    development.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this concept
    represents a fundamental principle about how geographical factors create systematic
    economic inequalities. It''s a core theoretical insight rather than a specific
    mechanism or policy consideration.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity describes a structural condition or environmental constraint
    rather than a system function, making it largely VSM-neutral. While it might relate
    to S4 (environmental intelligence) in terms of recognizing geographical constraints,
    it doesn't naturally map to any specific VSM system.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating how
    geographical factors create systematic economic inequalities and persistent development
    differences. It explains a fundamental mechanism underlying regional economic
    disparities that Smith identified as crucial to understanding wealth distribution.
---

# Evaluation: Market Access Inequality

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly identifies a specific phenomenon - unequal economic opportunities based on geographical access to trade - and explains its mechanism and consequences. It avoids circularity and captures a distinct concept, though it could be slightly more precise about what constitutes "market access."

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's explicit analysis in Book I, Chapter 3, where he extensively discusses how coastal regions and areas with navigable waterways develop industry while inland areas remain economically backward. The context accurately reflects Smith's geographical observations about economic development.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this concept represents a fundamental principle about how geographical factors create systematic economic inequalities. It's a core theoretical insight rather than a specific mechanism or policy consideration.

## vsm_relevance — 2.0 / 5.0

This entity describes a structural condition or environmental constraint rather than a system function, making it largely VSM-neutral. While it might relate to S4 (environmental intelligence) in terms of recognizing geographical constraints, it doesn't naturally map to any specific VSM system.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating how geographical factors create systematic economic inequalities and persistent development differences. It explains a fundamental mechanism underlying regional economic disparities that Smith identified as crucial to understanding wealth distribution.
