---
entity_slug: villeinage
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:37:28.070782'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: 'The definition is quite precise, clearly distinguishing villeinage from
    other forms of servitude by specifying key characteristics: bound to land, sold
    with land but not separately, requiring master consent for marriage, and property
    acquisition limitations. It avoids circularity and provides concrete distinguishing
    features.'
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book III, Chapter
    2, where he extensively discusses the historical transition from feudal labor
    arrangements. The definition accurately reflects Smith's analysis of villeinage
    as a historical labor institution and its gradual disappearance.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Regulation" domain placement is highly appropriate, as villeinage
    represents a regulatory framework governing labor relations, property rights,
    and social obligations. This institutional arrangement fundamentally concerns
    how economic activity was regulated within the feudal system.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: Villeinage has moderate VSM relevance, primarily mapping to S3 (internal
    regulation) as a control mechanism governing labor and land use within feudal
    systems. However, it's somewhat abstract as a historical institution rather than
    an active operational component of economic systems.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides strong explanatory value by illuminating the structural
    mechanisms of pre-capitalist labor relations and how institutional constraints
    shaped economic behavior. It helps explain the historical transition to more flexible
    labor arrangements that Smith sees as crucial for economic development.
---

# Evaluation: Villeinage

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition is quite precise, clearly distinguishing villeinage from other forms of servitude by specifying key characteristics: bound to land, sold with land but not separately, requiring master consent for marriage, and property acquisition limitations. It avoids circularity and provides concrete distinguishing features.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book III, Chapter 2, where he extensively discusses the historical transition from feudal labor arrangements. The definition accurately reflects Smith's analysis of villeinage as a historical labor institution and its gradual disappearance.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Regulation" domain placement is highly appropriate, as villeinage represents a regulatory framework governing labor relations, property rights, and social obligations. This institutional arrangement fundamentally concerns how economic activity was regulated within the feudal system.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

Villeinage has moderate VSM relevance, primarily mapping to S3 (internal regulation) as a control mechanism governing labor and land use within feudal systems. However, it's somewhat abstract as a historical institution rather than an active operational component of economic systems.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity provides strong explanatory value by illuminating the structural mechanisms of pre-capitalist labor relations and how institutional constraints shaped economic behavior. It helps explain the historical transition to more flexible labor arrangements that Smith sees as crucial for economic development.