---
entity_slug: market_access_opportunity_cost
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:43:47.987364'
overall_score: 4.6
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly captures a distinct economic concept - the cost
    of foregone benefits due to market isolation. It avoids circularity and specifies
    concrete elements like specialization, economies of scale, and exchange network
    participation.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This concept is directly grounded in Smith's Chapter 3 examples, particularly
    the nailer who cannot dispose of surplus work and farmers forced into self-sufficiency
    due to market distance. Smith explicitly discusses how market access limitations
    constrain economic development.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this represents
    a fundamental principle about market structure and access that underlies Smith''s
    broader theoretical framework. It''s not specific to labor, trade, or other specialized
    domains.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps well to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as
    it concerns how economic actors adapt to environmental constraints on market access.
    It also relates to S1 (primary operations) regarding how market limitations affect
    productive capabilities.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides genuine explanatory power by illuminating the structural
    mechanism through which geographical and political isolation creates economic
    costs. It explains why market access is fundamental to economic development and
    specialization in Smith's theory.
---

# Evaluation: Market Access Opportunity Cost

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly captures a distinct economic concept - the cost of foregone benefits due to market isolation. It avoids circularity and specifies concrete elements like specialization, economies of scale, and exchange network participation.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This concept is directly grounded in Smith's Chapter 3 examples, particularly the nailer who cannot dispose of surplus work and farmers forced into self-sufficiency due to market distance. Smith explicitly discusses how market access limitations constrain economic development.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this represents a fundamental principle about market structure and access that underlies Smith's broader theoretical framework. It's not specific to labor, trade, or other specialized domains.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity maps well to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as it concerns how economic actors adapt to environmental constraints on market access. It also relates to S1 (primary operations) regarding how market limitations affect productive capabilities.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides genuine explanatory power by illuminating the structural mechanism through which geographical and political isolation creates economic costs. It explains why market access is fundamental to economic development and specialization in Smith's theory.
