---
entity_slug: market_communication_channels
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:44:39.088820'
overall_score: 4.6
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly identifies distinct types of communication channels
    (waterways, roads, political arrangements) and establishes their function in enabling
    market flow and specialization. While comprehensive, it could be slightly more
    precise about what constitutes "political arrangements" as communication channels.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text, specifically his discussion
    of the Danube navigation example and how political control over waterways affects
    market development. The concept emerges naturally from Smith's analysis of how
    transportation infrastructure enables or constrains market extent.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Exchange" domain is perfectly appropriate, as communication channels
    are fundamental infrastructure that enables exchange relationships between market
    participants. This is clearly about the mechanisms that facilitate trade rather
    than production or distribution per se.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps well to S1 (primary operations infrastructure) and S4
    (environmental intelligence gathering and adaptation), as communication channels
    both enable basic market operations and facilitate information flow about external
    conditions. The political control aspect also touches on S5 (policy/identity)
    considerations.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating how
    physical and political infrastructure constraints directly limit market development
    and specialization possibilities. It reveals a crucial structural mechanism underlying
    Smith's theory of market extent and division of labor.
---

# Evaluation: Market Communication Channels

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly identifies distinct types of communication channels (waterways, roads, political arrangements) and establishes their function in enabling market flow and specialization. While comprehensive, it could be slightly more precise about what constitutes "political arrangements" as communication channels.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text, specifically his discussion of the Danube navigation example and how political control over waterways affects market development. The concept emerges naturally from Smith's analysis of how transportation infrastructure enables or constrains market extent.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Exchange" domain is perfectly appropriate, as communication channels are fundamental infrastructure that enables exchange relationships between market participants. This is clearly about the mechanisms that facilitate trade rather than production or distribution per se.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity maps well to S1 (primary operations infrastructure) and S4 (environmental intelligence gathering and adaptation), as communication channels both enable basic market operations and facilitate information flow about external conditions. The political control aspect also touches on S5 (policy/identity) considerations.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating how physical and political infrastructure constraints directly limit market development and specialization possibilities. It reveals a crucial structural mechanism underlying Smith's theory of market extent and division of labor.
