---
entity_slug: political_economy_objectives
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:07:00.102900'
overall_score: 4.6
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes between mercantile objectives (precious
    metal accumulation) and Smith's preferred objectives (productive capacity, efficient
    allocation, general welfare). It avoids circularity and captures a specific conceptual
    distinction about competing approaches to political economy.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Book IV, Chapter 1, where Smith explicitly
    contrasts the mercantile system's focus on favorable trade balances and precious
    metals with his vision of political economy centered on real production and general
    prosperity. The contrast between these competing objectives is central to Smith's
    critique.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"Regulation" is the appropriate domain since political economy objectives
    fundamentally concern how governments should regulate and manage economic affairs.
    This entity captures the meta-level question of what regulatory goals should guide
    state economic policy.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps clearly to S5 (identity/policy) as it concerns the fundamental
    purposes and identity that should guide a nation's economic system. Political
    economy objectives define the overarching policy framework that determines how
    all other economic subsystems should operate.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating the
    structural difference between mercantile and Smithian approaches to economic policy.
    It helps explain why Smith advocates for different institutional arrangements
    and regulatory approaches based on fundamentally different conceptions of proper
    economic objectives.
---

# Evaluation: Political Economy Objectives

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes between mercantile objectives (precious metal accumulation) and Smith's preferred objectives (productive capacity, efficient allocation, general welfare). It avoids circularity and captures a specific conceptual distinction about competing approaches to political economy.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Book IV, Chapter 1, where Smith explicitly contrasts the mercantile system's focus on favorable trade balances and precious metals with his vision of political economy centered on real production and general prosperity. The contrast between these competing objectives is central to Smith's critique.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"Regulation" is the appropriate domain since political economy objectives fundamentally concern how governments should regulate and manage economic affairs. This entity captures the meta-level question of what regulatory goals should guide state economic policy.

## vsm_relevance — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity maps clearly to S5 (identity/policy) as it concerns the fundamental purposes and identity that should guide a nation's economic system. Political economy objectives define the overarching policy framework that determines how all other economic subsystems should operate.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating the structural difference between mercantile and Smithian approaches to economic policy. It helps explain why Smith advocates for different institutional arrangements and regulatory approaches based on fundamentally different conceptions of proper economic objectives.
