---
entity_slug: colonial_trade_pattern_distortion
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T04:52:09.074942'
overall_score: 4.6
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes this concept from general trade
    inefficiency by focusing specifically on artificial alterations caused by monopoly
    restrictions that force round-about routing. It captures a distinct mechanism
    rather than being a vague umbrella term.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's extensive analysis in Book
    IV, Chapter 7, where he explicitly discusses how monopoly policies force colonial
    goods through inefficient routes via British ports rather than allowing direct
    trade with advantageous markets.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Exchange" domain is perfectly appropriate since this entity fundamentally
    concerns trade flows, market relationships, and the mechanisms by which goods
    move between trading partners.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps well to S2 (coordination) as it represents a coordination
    failure where artificial constraints prevent efficient resource flows, and also
    relates to S4 (intelligence) regarding how systems adapt to environmental opportunities
    for trade.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: "This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating the\
    \ specific mechanism through which monopoly policies create inefficiency\u2014\
    not just that they reduce welfare generally, but precisely how they distort natural\
    \ economic flows and routing patterns."
---

# Evaluation: Colonial Trade Pattern Distortion

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes this concept from general trade inefficiency by focusing specifically on artificial alterations caused by monopoly restrictions that force round-about routing. It captures a distinct mechanism rather than being a vague umbrella term.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's extensive analysis in Book IV, Chapter 7, where he explicitly discusses how monopoly policies force colonial goods through inefficient routes via British ports rather than allowing direct trade with advantageous markets.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Exchange" domain is perfectly appropriate since this entity fundamentally concerns trade flows, market relationships, and the mechanisms by which goods move between trading partners.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity maps well to S2 (coordination) as it represents a coordination failure where artificial constraints prevent efficient resource flows, and also relates to S4 (intelligence) regarding how systems adapt to environmental opportunities for trade.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating the specific mechanism through which monopoly policies create inefficiency—not just that they reduce welfare generally, but precisely how they distort natural economic flows and routing patterns.
