---
entity_slug: market_access_gradient
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:43:30.786552'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly captures a specific spatial-economic phenomenon
    - the relationship between distance from trade infrastructure and market opportunity.
    It avoids circularity and distinguishes itself from general concepts of market
    size or geographic advantage.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This concept is directly grounded in Smith's explicit analysis in Book
    I, Chapter 3, where he describes how industry begins at sea-coasts and navigable
    rivers before extending inland. The entity accurately reflects Smith's observations
    about geographic patterns of economic development.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Exchange" domain is perfectly appropriate since this concept fundamentally
    concerns how geographic proximity to trade routes affects the ability to participate
    in markets and exchange goods. It's centrally about the mechanics of trade and
    market participation.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity has some relevance to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation)
    as it describes how economic systems respond to geographic constraints and opportunities.
    However, it's more of a structural constraint than an active system component,
    making VSM placement somewhat forced.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The concept provides genuine explanatory power by illuminating why certain
    geographic patterns of development emerge and persist. It reveals an underlying
    mechanism connecting transportation infrastructure, market access, and economic
    development rather than merely describing surface phenomena.
---

# Evaluation: Market Access Gradient

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly captures a specific spatial-economic phenomenon - the relationship between distance from trade infrastructure and market opportunity. It avoids circularity and distinguishes itself from general concepts of market size or geographic advantage.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This concept is directly grounded in Smith's explicit analysis in Book I, Chapter 3, where he describes how industry begins at sea-coasts and navigable rivers before extending inland. The entity accurately reflects Smith's observations about geographic patterns of economic development.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Exchange" domain is perfectly appropriate since this concept fundamentally concerns how geographic proximity to trade routes affects the ability to participate in markets and exchange goods. It's centrally about the mechanics of trade and market participation.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This entity has some relevance to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as it describes how economic systems respond to geographic constraints and opportunities. However, it's more of a structural constraint than an active system component, making VSM placement somewhat forced.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The concept provides genuine explanatory power by illuminating why certain geographic patterns of development emerge and persist. It reveals an underlying mechanism connecting transportation infrastructure, market access, and economic development rather than merely describing surface phenomena.
