---
entity_slug: natural_complement_of_riches
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:58:03.599924'
overall_score: 4.6
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition is quite precise, clearly describing a maximum wealth
    threshold determined by institutional constraints rather than natural resources.
    It avoids circularity and captures a distinct concept about institutional limits
    on economic development.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This concept is directly grounded in Smith's analysis in Book I, Chapter
    8, where he explicitly discusses how China has reached the "full complement of
    riches which the nature of its laws and institutions permits it to acquire." The
    entity accurately reflects Smith's own terminology and reasoning.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this concept
    represents a fundamental theoretical principle about the relationship between
    institutions and economic limits. It''s a core structural insight rather than
    a specific mechanism or policy tool.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps well to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as
    it concerns how institutional frameworks limit a system's ability to adapt and
    grow in response to environmental opportunities. It also relates to S5 (identity/policy)
    regarding fundamental institutional constraints.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating the
    mechanism through which institutional frameworks can create absolute limits on
    wealth accumulation, explaining phenomena like economic stagnation in otherwise
    capable societies. It reveals a structural relationship between institutions and
    economic potential rather than merely describing surface outcomes.
---

# Evaluation: Natural Complement Of Riches

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition is quite precise, clearly describing a maximum wealth threshold determined by institutional constraints rather than natural resources. It avoids circularity and captures a distinct concept about institutional limits on economic development.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This concept is directly grounded in Smith's analysis in Book I, Chapter 8, where he explicitly discusses how China has reached the "full complement of riches which the nature of its laws and institutions permits it to acquire." The entity accurately reflects Smith's own terminology and reasoning.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this concept represents a fundamental theoretical principle about the relationship between institutions and economic limits. It's a core structural insight rather than a specific mechanism or policy tool.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity maps well to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as it concerns how institutional frameworks limit a system's ability to adapt and grow in response to environmental opportunities. It also relates to S5 (identity/policy) regarding fundamental institutional constraints.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating the mechanism through which institutional frameworks can create absolute limits on wealth accumulation, explaining phenomena like economic stagnation in otherwise capable societies. It reveals a structural relationship between institutions and economic potential rather than merely describing surface outcomes.
