---
entity_slug: economic_development_sequencing
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:10:14.724986'
overall_score: 2.8
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition captures a coherent concept about developmental progression
    but remains somewhat vague about what constitutes the "natural order" and specific
    prerequisites. The agricultural-to-commercial sequence is clear, but the broader
    framework lacks precision about mechanisms and stages.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: While Smith does discuss different economic systems and their historical
    development, the specific framing of "economic development sequencing" as a distinct
    theoretical concept appears to be an interpretive overlay rather than something
    Smith explicitly articulates. The source reference to "Book IV, Chapter 0" is
    also problematic as chapters typically don't start at 0.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"General Theory" is an appropriate domain placement since this concept
    spans multiple aspects of Smith''s economic thinking rather than belonging to
    a specific area like trade policy or labor theory. The developmental sequencing
    idea does represent a broad theoretical framework.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is too abstract and macro-historical to map meaningfully
    to specific VSM systems, which are designed for organizational viability rather
    than national economic development sequences. It operates at a different analytical
    level than the VSM framework.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The concept has moderate explanatory value in organizing Smith's views
    on economic development stages, but it risks oversimplifying his more nuanced
    analysis of how different economic arrangements emerge under various conditions.
    It provides a useful organizing framework but may obscure important contingencies
    Smith identified.
---

# Evaluation: Economic Development Sequencing

## definition_precision — 3.0 / 5.0

The definition captures a coherent concept about developmental progression but remains somewhat vague about what constitutes the "natural order" and specific prerequisites. The agricultural-to-commercial sequence is clear, but the broader framework lacks precision about mechanisms and stages.

## source_grounding — 2.0 / 5.0

While Smith does discuss different economic systems and their historical development, the specific framing of "economic development sequencing" as a distinct theoretical concept appears to be an interpretive overlay rather than something Smith explicitly articulates. The source reference to "Book IV, Chapter 0" is also problematic as chapters typically don't start at 0.

## domain_placement — 4.0 / 5.0

"General Theory" is an appropriate domain placement since this concept spans multiple aspects of Smith's economic thinking rather than belonging to a specific area like trade policy or labor theory. The developmental sequencing idea does represent a broad theoretical framework.

## vsm_relevance — 2.0 / 5.0

This entity is too abstract and macro-historical to map meaningfully to specific VSM systems, which are designed for organizational viability rather than national economic development sequences. It operates at a different analytical level than the VSM framework.

## explanatory_value — 3.0 / 5.0

The concept has moderate explanatory value in organizing Smith's views on economic development stages, but it risks oversimplifying his more nuanced analysis of how different economic arrangements emerge under various conditions. It provides a useful organizing framework but may obscure important contingencies Smith identified.
