---
entity_slug: effect_of_prohibition_on_gold_and_silver_export
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:22:31.743370'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly captures a specific economic phenomenon - the
    unintended consequences of legal restrictions on precious metal exports. It avoids
    circularity and distinguishes this concept from general trade restrictions by
    focusing on the particular dynamics of bullion movement.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's explicit arguments in Book
    IV, Chapter 1, where he systematically critiques mercantile policies prohibiting
    gold and silver exports. The definition accurately reflects Smith's reasoning
    about why such prohibitions fail and create perverse incentives.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"Regulation" is the correct domain assignment, as this entity specifically
    concerns the effects of government regulatory policy on economic behavior. It
    fits squarely within Smith''s broader analysis of how state intervention in markets
    produces unintended consequences.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity has moderate VSM relevance, primarily mapping to S3 (internal
    regulation) as it concerns how regulatory mechanisms fail to achieve their intended
    control functions. It also touches on S4 (intelligence) regarding how markets
    adapt to regulatory constraints, but the mapping is not as natural as more operational
    concepts.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity provides strong explanatory value by illuminating a key mechanism
    in Smith's critique of mercantilism - how prohibition creates smuggling incentives
    and increases costs without preventing the underlying economic forces driving
    bullion movement. This reveals important structural relations between regulation
    and market behavior.
---

# Evaluation: Effect Of Prohibition On Gold And Silver Export

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly captures a specific economic phenomenon - the unintended consequences of legal restrictions on precious metal exports. It avoids circularity and distinguishes this concept from general trade restrictions by focusing on the particular dynamics of bullion movement.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's explicit arguments in Book IV, Chapter 1, where he systematically critiques mercantile policies prohibiting gold and silver exports. The definition accurately reflects Smith's reasoning about why such prohibitions fail and create perverse incentives.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"Regulation" is the correct domain assignment, as this entity specifically concerns the effects of government regulatory policy on economic behavior. It fits squarely within Smith's broader analysis of how state intervention in markets produces unintended consequences.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This entity has moderate VSM relevance, primarily mapping to S3 (internal regulation) as it concerns how regulatory mechanisms fail to achieve their intended control functions. It also touches on S4 (intelligence) regarding how markets adapt to regulatory constraints, but the mapping is not as natural as more operational concepts.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity provides strong explanatory value by illuminating a key mechanism in Smith's critique of mercantilism - how prohibition creates smuggling incentives and increases costs without preventing the underlying economic forces driving bullion movement. This reveals important structural relations between regulation and market behavior.
