---
entity_slug: forced_corn_trade
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:28:49.238397'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes forced corn trade from natural market
    activity by identifying the key mechanism (government bounties) and outcome (artificially
    profitable exports requiring subsidy). It avoids circularity and captures a specific
    economic phenomenon rather than a vague concept.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's extensive analysis of the
    corn bounty in Book IV, Chapter 5, where he explicitly discusses how bounties
    create artificial export profitability and examines the broader economic effects.
    The concept reflects Smith's actual arguments rather than imposing external interpretations.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Exchange" domain is precisely correct, as this entity concerns trade
    patterns, export mechanisms, and market transactions. The forced nature of the
    trade specifically relates to how exchange relationships are artificially manipulated
    through policy intervention.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity has moderate VSM relevance, primarily mapping to S4 (intelligence/adaptation)
    as it represents a policy response to environmental conditions, though the "forced"
    nature suggests S5 (policy/identity) involvement. However, it's more of a policy
    outcome than a core system function.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity provides strong explanatory value by illuminating the mechanism
    through which government intervention distorts natural market processes and creates
    unsustainable trade patterns. It helps explain Smith's broader critique of mercantile
    policies and their hidden costs to society.
---

# Evaluation: Forced Corn Trade

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes forced corn trade from natural market activity by identifying the key mechanism (government bounties) and outcome (artificially profitable exports requiring subsidy). It avoids circularity and captures a specific economic phenomenon rather than a vague concept.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's extensive analysis of the corn bounty in Book IV, Chapter 5, where he explicitly discusses how bounties create artificial export profitability and examines the broader economic effects. The concept reflects Smith's actual arguments rather than imposing external interpretations.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Exchange" domain is precisely correct, as this entity concerns trade patterns, export mechanisms, and market transactions. The forced nature of the trade specifically relates to how exchange relationships are artificially manipulated through policy intervention.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This entity has moderate VSM relevance, primarily mapping to S4 (intelligence/adaptation) as it represents a policy response to environmental conditions, though the "forced" nature suggests S5 (policy/identity) involvement. However, it's more of a policy outcome than a core system function.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity provides strong explanatory value by illuminating the mechanism through which government intervention distorts natural market processes and creates unsustainable trade patterns. It helps explain Smith's broader critique of mercantile policies and their hidden costs to society.
