---
entity_slug: market_integration_potential
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:46:01.069275'
overall_score: 4.4
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes between current market connections
    and future capacity for integration, identifying specific enabling factors (transportation,
    political arrangements, infrastructure). While "capacity" could be more precisely
    operationalized, the concept captures a distinct forward-looking aspect of market
    development.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is well-grounded in Smith's actual discussion of how water-carriage
    improvements and political control affect market possibilities. The examples given
    (inland navigation, river control, frozen oceans) directly reflect Smith's analysis
    of factors that enable or constrain market expansion.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"Exchange" is the correct domain placement since this concept fundamentally
    concerns the structural conditions that enable or limit market transactions and
    trade relationships. The focus on connecting different markets clearly falls within
    exchange mechanisms rather than production or distribution.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps naturally to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation)
    as it concerns scanning environmental possibilities and adapting to infrastructure
    opportunities for market expansion. It also has some relevance to S5 (policy)
    regarding strategic decisions about market development directions.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity provides genuine explanatory power by distinguishing between
    current market extent and future integration possibilities, helping explain why
    some regions develop economically while others remain constrained. It illuminates
    the structural preconditions for economic development rather than just describing
    surface phenomena.
---

# Evaluation: Market Integration Potential

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes between current market connections and future capacity for integration, identifying specific enabling factors (transportation, political arrangements, infrastructure). While "capacity" could be more precisely operationalized, the concept captures a distinct forward-looking aspect of market development.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is well-grounded in Smith's actual discussion of how water-carriage improvements and political control affect market possibilities. The examples given (inland navigation, river control, frozen oceans) directly reflect Smith's analysis of factors that enable or constrain market expansion.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"Exchange" is the correct domain placement since this concept fundamentally concerns the structural conditions that enable or limit market transactions and trade relationships. The focus on connecting different markets clearly falls within exchange mechanisms rather than production or distribution.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity maps naturally to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as it concerns scanning environmental possibilities and adapting to infrastructure opportunities for market expansion. It also has some relevance to S5 (policy) regarding strategic decisions about market development directions.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity provides genuine explanatory power by distinguishing between current market extent and future integration possibilities, helping explain why some regions develop economically while others remain constrained. It illuminates the structural preconditions for economic development rather than just describing surface phenomena.
