---
entity_slug: commercial_country_ruin_predictions
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T04:57:33.742231'
overall_score: 4.4
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly captures a specific phenomenon - the pattern of
    failed predictions by mercantilists about economic ruin from free trade. It's
    precise in identifying both the predictors (mercantile theory proponents) and
    the consistent falsification of their forecasts.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's explicit observations in
    Book IV, Chapter 3, where he specifically notes that mercantile warnings about
    ruin from trade deficits have proven false while open trading nations have prospered.
    The concept emerges clearly from Smith's own analysis.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this entity
    represents a meta-theoretical observation about the predictive failures of mercantile
    economic theory. It''s not about specific trade mechanisms but about theoretical
    frameworks and their empirical track records.'
- 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 theories process environmental information and make predictions
    about systemic survival. The pattern of failed predictions reveals deficiencies
    in mercantile theory's intelligence function.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity provides significant explanatory value by identifying a systematic
    pattern of theoretical failure that undermines mercantile credibility. It illuminates
    how empirical evidence contradicts mercantile predictions, strengthening Smith's
    case for free trade policies.
---

# Evaluation: Commercial Country Ruin Predictions

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly captures a specific phenomenon - the pattern of failed predictions by mercantilists about economic ruin from free trade. It's precise in identifying both the predictors (mercantile theory proponents) and the consistent falsification of their forecasts.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's explicit observations in Book IV, Chapter 3, where he specifically notes that mercantile warnings about ruin from trade deficits have proven false while open trading nations have prospered. The concept emerges clearly from Smith's own analysis.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this entity represents a meta-theoretical observation about the predictive failures of mercantile economic theory. It's not about specific trade mechanisms but about theoretical frameworks and their empirical track records.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity maps well to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as it concerns how economic theories process environmental information and make predictions about systemic survival. The pattern of failed predictions reveals deficiencies in mercantile theory's intelligence function.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity provides significant explanatory value by identifying a systematic pattern of theoretical failure that undermines mercantile credibility. It illuminates how empirical evidence contradicts mercantile predictions, strengthening Smith's case for free trade policies.
