---
entity_slug: national_economic_identity
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:57:09.111648'
overall_score: 3.4
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition captures a coherent concept about nations having distinct
    economic characteristics, but it's somewhat broad and could encompass multiple
    related but distinct phenomena. The phrase "characteristic economic system and
    approach" is reasonably clear but could be more precise about what specifically
    constitutes this identity.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: While Smith does discuss how different nations adopt different systems
    of political economy, the specific concept of "National Economic Identity" as
    a distinct analytical category is not explicitly developed in the source text.
    This appears to be an interpretive synthesis that goes beyond what Smith directly
    articulates.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The placement in "General Theory" is appropriate since this concept would
    span across Smith's various discussions of different national approaches to political
    economy. It's sufficiently broad and foundational to warrant this domain classification
    rather than being placed in a more specific economic category.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps very naturally to S5 (identity/policy) in the VSM, as
    it directly concerns how a nation defines its fundamental economic character and
    approach. It represents the highest-level identity function that shapes all other
    economic decisions and structures within the national system.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The concept provides some explanatory value by offering a framework for
    understanding why nations develop different economic approaches, but it remains
    somewhat descriptive rather than revealing deep structural mechanisms. It names
    an important phenomenon but doesn't fully illuminate the underlying processes
    that create or maintain this identity.
---

# Evaluation: National Economic Identity

## definition_precision — 3.0 / 5.0

The definition captures a coherent concept about nations having distinct economic characteristics, but it's somewhat broad and could encompass multiple related but distinct phenomena. The phrase "characteristic economic system and approach" is reasonably clear but could be more precise about what specifically constitutes this identity.

## source_grounding — 2.0 / 5.0

While Smith does discuss how different nations adopt different systems of political economy, the specific concept of "National Economic Identity" as a distinct analytical category is not explicitly developed in the source text. This appears to be an interpretive synthesis that goes beyond what Smith directly articulates.

## domain_placement — 4.0 / 5.0

The placement in "General Theory" is appropriate since this concept would span across Smith's various discussions of different national approaches to political economy. It's sufficiently broad and foundational to warrant this domain classification rather than being placed in a more specific economic category.

## vsm_relevance — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity maps very naturally to S5 (identity/policy) in the VSM, as it directly concerns how a nation defines its fundamental economic character and approach. It represents the highest-level identity function that shapes all other economic decisions and structures within the national system.

## explanatory_value — 3.0 / 5.0

The concept provides some explanatory value by offering a framework for understanding why nations develop different economic approaches, but it remains somewhat descriptive rather than revealing deep structural mechanisms. It names an important phenomenon but doesn't fully illuminate the underlying processes that create or maintain this identity.
