---
entity_slug: progressive_state_of_society
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:10:56.645081'
overall_score: 4.0
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes this as a specific state of society
    characterized by advancing wealth acquisition, contrasted against stationary and
    declining states. It captures a distinct temporal-economic condition rather than
    being vague or circular.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This concept is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter
    8, where he explicitly discusses the progressive state as the happiest condition
    for society and contrasts it with stationary and declining states. The terminology
    and analysis are authentically Smithian.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this represents
    Smith''s broad theoretical framework about societal development stages rather
    than a specific mechanism like wage determination or market operations. It''s
    a foundational concept that spans multiple economic phenomena.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is too abstract and macro-level to map naturally to specific
    VSM systems, as it describes an overall societal condition rather than a functional
    subsystem. It's more of a system-wide state description than a viable system component.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides significant explanatory power by establishing the
    theoretical framework for understanding when societies achieve optimal conditions
    for prosperity across all social orders. It illuminates the structural relationship
    between wealth accumulation dynamics and social welfare outcomes.
---

# Evaluation: Progressive State Of Society

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes this as a specific state of society characterized by advancing wealth acquisition, contrasted against stationary and declining states. It captures a distinct temporal-economic condition rather than being vague or circular.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This concept is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter 8, where he explicitly discusses the progressive state as the happiest condition for society and contrasts it with stationary and declining states. The terminology and analysis are authentically Smithian.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this represents Smith's broad theoretical framework about societal development stages rather than a specific mechanism like wage determination or market operations. It's a foundational concept that spans multiple economic phenomena.

## vsm_relevance — 2.0 / 5.0

This entity is too abstract and macro-level to map naturally to specific VSM systems, as it describes an overall societal condition rather than a functional subsystem. It's more of a system-wide state description than a viable system component.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity provides significant explanatory power by establishing the theoretical framework for understanding when societies achieve optimal conditions for prosperity across all social orders. It illuminates the structural relationship between wealth accumulation dynamics and social welfare outcomes.
