---
entity_slug: french_goods_export_restrictions
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:31:45.035881'
overall_score: 4.4
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition is quite precise, specifying exact policy measures (half
    the old subsidy retained plus 25% additional duty) and clearly identifying the
    underlying motivations (national prejudice and animosity). It captures a distinct
    regulatory phenomenon rather than being vague or circular.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity appears directly grounded in Smith's actual discussion of
    specific French trade restrictions and the British merchant response to them.
    The details about duty percentages and merchant motivations suggest close adherence
    to the source text rather than interpretive extrapolation.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"Regulation" is the correct domain placement, as this entity describes
    specific government-imposed trade policies and restrictions. It clearly belongs
    in the regulatory rather than market mechanism or theoretical category.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This maps well to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as it represents
    how a nation's trade policy system responds to external threats or competitors,
    and potentially S5 (identity/policy) given the role of national identity in shaping
    these restrictions. The political override of economic logic is a clear systemic
    regulatory function.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity illuminates an important mechanism where political and cultural
    factors override pure economic rationality in trade policy formation. It demonstrates
    how non-economic considerations can systematically distort market operations,
    providing genuine insight into the structural relationship between politics and
    commerce.
---

# Evaluation: French Goods Export Restrictions

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition is quite precise, specifying exact policy measures (half the old subsidy retained plus 25% additional duty) and clearly identifying the underlying motivations (national prejudice and animosity). It captures a distinct regulatory phenomenon rather than being vague or circular.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity appears directly grounded in Smith's actual discussion of specific French trade restrictions and the British merchant response to them. The details about duty percentages and merchant motivations suggest close adherence to the source text rather than interpretive extrapolation.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"Regulation" is the correct domain placement, as this entity describes specific government-imposed trade policies and restrictions. It clearly belongs in the regulatory rather than market mechanism or theoretical category.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This maps well to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as it represents how a nation's trade policy system responds to external threats or competitors, and potentially S5 (identity/policy) given the role of national identity in shaping these restrictions. The political override of economic logic is a clear systemic regulatory function.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity illuminates an important mechanism where political and cultural factors override pure economic rationality in trade policy formation. It demonstrates how non-economic considerations can systematically distort market operations, providing genuine insight into the structural relationship between politics and commerce.
