---
entity_slug: economic_spatial_inequality
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:11:38.770157'
overall_score: 4.0
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes economic spatial inequality as persistent
    regional differences based on geography and market access, avoiding circularity.
    It could be slightly more precise about the mechanisms that create persistence,
    but overall captures a distinct concept.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's analysis from Book I, Chapter
    3, where he explicitly discusses how coastal regions develop differently from
    river regions and isolated inland areas. The concept accurately reflects Smith's
    observations about geographical determinants of 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 theoretical insight about how geography shapes economic outcomes.
    This is a core theoretical principle rather than a specific mechanism or policy
    application.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: "This entity describes a structural outcome or pattern rather than a\
    \ functional system component. While spatial inequality might affect various VSM\
    \ systems, the concept itself doesn't naturally map to any specific VSM function\u2014\
    it's more of an emergent property of economic systems."
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity provides genuine explanatory power by identifying geography
    and market access as structural determinants of economic disparities. It illuminates
    why certain regional patterns persist, though it could better specify the underlying
    mechanisms that maintain these inequalities.
---

# Evaluation: Economic Spatial Inequality

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes economic spatial inequality as persistent regional differences based on geography and market access, avoiding circularity. It could be slightly more precise about the mechanisms that create persistence, but overall captures a distinct concept.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's analysis from Book I, Chapter 3, where he explicitly discusses how coastal regions develop differently from river regions and isolated inland areas. The concept accurately reflects Smith's observations about geographical determinants of economic development.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this represents a fundamental theoretical insight about how geography shapes economic outcomes. This is a core theoretical principle rather than a specific mechanism or policy application.

## vsm_relevance — 2.0 / 5.0

This entity describes a structural outcome or pattern rather than a functional system component. While spatial inequality might affect various VSM systems, the concept itself doesn't naturally map to any specific VSM function—it's more of an emergent property of economic systems.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity provides genuine explanatory power by identifying geography and market access as structural determinants of economic disparities. It illuminates why certain regional patterns persist, though it could better specify the underlying mechanisms that maintain these inequalities.
