---
entity_slug: natural_course_of_economic_development
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:58:20.956147'
overall_score: 4.6
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: "The definition clearly articulates a specific developmental sequence\
    \ (agriculture \u2192 manufacturing \u2192 foreign trade) driven by natural advantages\
    \ rather than political direction. It distinguishes this concept from artificial/government-directed\
    \ development, making it precise and non-circular."
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text, particularly Book IV
    Chapter 8 where he explicitly discusses the "natural course of things" and contrasts
    it with mercantile system distortions. Smith repeatedly emphasizes how natural
    development follows resource advantages and individual self-interest rather than
    policy direction.
- 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 how economies naturally develop
    over time. It''s a core structural theory rather than a specific policy or institutional
    mechanism.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps well to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as
    it describes how economic systems naturally adapt their structure based on environmental
    advantages and market intelligence. It also relates to S5 (identity/policy) in
    terms of what constitutes "natural" versus "artificial" development paths.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating the
    underlying mechanism of how economies develop their comparative advantages and
    structural evolution. It explains why certain development sequences are more efficient
    and sustainable than politically imposed alternatives.
---

# Evaluation: Natural Course Of Economic Development

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly articulates a specific developmental sequence (agriculture → manufacturing → foreign trade) driven by natural advantages rather than political direction. It distinguishes this concept from artificial/government-directed development, making it precise and non-circular.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text, particularly Book IV Chapter 8 where he explicitly discusses the "natural course of things" and contrasts it with mercantile system distortions. Smith repeatedly emphasizes how natural development follows resource advantages and individual self-interest rather than policy direction.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this concept represents a fundamental theoretical principle about how economies naturally develop over time. It's a core structural theory rather than a specific policy or institutional mechanism.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity maps well to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as it describes how economic systems naturally adapt their structure based on environmental advantages and market intelligence. It also relates to S5 (identity/policy) in terms of what constitutes "natural" versus "artificial" development paths.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating the underlying mechanism of how economies develop their comparative advantages and structural evolution. It explains why certain development sequences are more efficient and sustainable than politically imposed alternatives.
