---
entity_slug: cheap_years
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T04:42:38.976129'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly identifies cheap years as periods of agricultural
    abundance with low prices and specifies their dual effects on labor composition
    (more independent workmen vs. journeymen/servants) and employment levels. The
    concept is distinct and non-circular, though it could be slightly more precise
    about the causal mechanisms.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is well-grounded in Smith's actual analysis from Book I,
    Chapter 8, where he examines how periods of abundance affect wages, employment
    patterns, and the balance between different types of workers. The effects described
    align directly with Smith's observations about agricultural cycles and labor markets.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The placement in "General Theory" is appropriate as this concept relates
    to fundamental economic mechanisms governing labor markets, wages, and employment
    patterns across the economy. It represents a structural economic phenomenon rather
    than a narrow sectoral issue.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity has moderate VSM relevance, primarily relating to S4 (intelligence/environmental
    adaptation) as it describes how economic systems respond to environmental changes
    in agricultural productivity. However, it's more of a cyclical phenomenon than
    a clear systemic function.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity provides genuine explanatory value by illuminating how agricultural
    abundance creates specific labor market dynamics and employment patterns. It reveals
    an important structural mechanism connecting agricultural cycles to broader economic
    organization and worker independence.
---

# Evaluation: Cheap Years

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly identifies cheap years as periods of agricultural abundance with low prices and specifies their dual effects on labor composition (more independent workmen vs. journeymen/servants) and employment levels. The concept is distinct and non-circular, though it could be slightly more precise about the causal mechanisms.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is well-grounded in Smith's actual analysis from Book I, Chapter 8, where he examines how periods of abundance affect wages, employment patterns, and the balance between different types of workers. The effects described align directly with Smith's observations about agricultural cycles and labor markets.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The placement in "General Theory" is appropriate as this concept relates to fundamental economic mechanisms governing labor markets, wages, and employment patterns across the economy. It represents a structural economic phenomenon rather than a narrow sectoral issue.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This entity has moderate VSM relevance, primarily relating to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as it describes how economic systems respond to environmental changes in agricultural productivity. However, it's more of a cyclical phenomenon than a clear systemic function.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity provides genuine explanatory value by illuminating how agricultural abundance creates specific labor market dynamics and employment patterns. It reveals an important structural mechanism connecting agricultural cycles to broader economic organization and worker independence.
