---
entity_slug: colony_economic_system_performance
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T04:55:13.443542'
overall_score: 3.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition captures a coherent concept about measuring colonial economic
    outcomes, but relies on somewhat vague terms like "effectiveness," "efficiency,"
    and "overall prosperity" without specifying concrete metrics. It's clear enough
    to be distinct but could be more operationally precise.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is well-grounded in Smith's actual analysis in Book V, Chapter
    3, where he explicitly compares the economic performance of different colonial
    systems and argues that freer economies outperform those under restrictive mercantilist
    control. The concept directly reflects Smith's comparative assessments.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Regulation" domain placement is appropriate since Smith's analysis
    focuses on how different regulatory approaches (mercantilist restrictions vs.
    economic freedom) affect colonial economic outcomes. This is fundamentally about
    the consequences of regulatory choices.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity represents an outcome measure rather than a structural component
    or process that would map naturally to any specific VSM system. It's more of a
    performance indicator that could apply across multiple systems rather than belonging
    to a particular VSM function.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity provides moderate explanatory value by highlighting Smith's
    key insight about the relationship between economic freedom and colonial prosperity,
    but it primarily describes outcomes rather than illuminating the underlying mechanisms
    that produce those performance differences.
---

# Evaluation: Colony Economic System Performance

## definition_precision — 3.0 / 5.0

The definition captures a coherent concept about measuring colonial economic outcomes, but relies on somewhat vague terms like "effectiveness," "efficiency," and "overall prosperity" without specifying concrete metrics. It's clear enough to be distinct but could be more operationally precise.

## source_grounding — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity is well-grounded in Smith's actual analysis in Book V, Chapter 3, where he explicitly compares the economic performance of different colonial systems and argues that freer economies outperform those under restrictive mercantilist control. The concept directly reflects Smith's comparative assessments.

## domain_placement — 4.0 / 5.0

The "Regulation" domain placement is appropriate since Smith's analysis focuses on how different regulatory approaches (mercantilist restrictions vs. economic freedom) affect colonial economic outcomes. This is fundamentally about the consequences of regulatory choices.

## vsm_relevance — 2.0 / 5.0

This entity represents an outcome measure rather than a structural component or process that would map naturally to any specific VSM system. It's more of a performance indicator that could apply across multiple systems rather than belonging to a particular VSM function.

## explanatory_value — 3.0 / 5.0

The entity provides moderate explanatory value by highlighting Smith's key insight about the relationship between economic freedom and colonial prosperity, but it primarily describes outcomes rather than illuminating the underlying mechanisms that produce those performance differences.
