---
entity_slug: territorial_support_limitation
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:31:00.885061'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly articulates a specific constraint mechanism -
    the relationship between territorial productive capacity and urban growth limits.
    It avoids circularity and identifies distinct causal elements (agricultural surplus,
    territorial capacity, urban population dependence).
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This concept is directly grounded in Smith's analysis in Book III, Chapter
    1, where he explicitly discusses how towns cannot grow beyond what surrounding
    agricultural territory can support. The entity accurately reflects Smith's core
    argument about the natural progression of economic development.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"Production" is appropriate since this concerns the productive capacity
    of agricultural territory and its relationship to urban development. However,
    it could also fit in a "Development" or "Geographic" domain given its focus on
    spatial economic constraints.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This maps most naturally to S1 (primary operations) as it describes fundamental
    productive constraints, with some relevance to S4 (environmental adaptation) regarding
    how economic systems respond to territorial limits. The mapping is reasonable
    but not as clear-cut as more operational concepts.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating a
    fundamental structural mechanism that explains urban development patterns and
    size limitations in pre-industrial economies. It reveals the underlying logic
    of Smith's theory of natural economic progression.
---

# Evaluation: Territorial Support Limitation

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly articulates a specific constraint mechanism - the relationship between territorial productive capacity and urban growth limits. It avoids circularity and identifies distinct causal elements (agricultural surplus, territorial capacity, urban population dependence).

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This concept is directly grounded in Smith's analysis in Book III, Chapter 1, where he explicitly discusses how towns cannot grow beyond what surrounding agricultural territory can support. The entity accurately reflects Smith's core argument about the natural progression of economic development.

## domain_placement — 4.0 / 5.0

"Production" is appropriate since this concerns the productive capacity of agricultural territory and its relationship to urban development. However, it could also fit in a "Development" or "Geographic" domain given its focus on spatial economic constraints.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This maps most naturally to S1 (primary operations) as it describes fundamental productive constraints, with some relevance to S4 (environmental adaptation) regarding how economic systems respond to territorial limits. The mapping is reasonable but not as clear-cut as more operational concepts.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating a fundamental structural mechanism that explains urban development patterns and size limitations in pre-industrial economies. It reveals the underlying logic of Smith's theory of natural economic progression.
