---
entity_slug: colony_economic_system_feedback_loops
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T04:54:10.920237'
overall_score: 3.4
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition captures a legitimate economic concept but uses somewhat
    vague language like "self-reinforcing mechanisms" and "virtuous cycles" without
    specifying the exact causal pathways. It identifies the core idea of positive
    feedback but could be more precise about the specific mechanisms involved.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: Smith does discuss how colonial economies develop through interconnected
    advantages where agricultural success enables manufacturing and commercial opportunities,
    which then support further development. The concept of feedback loops, while using
    modern terminology, accurately reflects Smith's observations about colonial economic
    dynamics.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"Accumulation" is an appropriate domain since these feedback loops are
    fundamentally about how capital and economic capacity build upon themselves in
    colonial settings. The placement correctly identifies this as a process of economic
    growth and capital formation rather than just trade or governance.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity describes a general systemic property rather than mapping
    to specific VSM functions - it's more about emergent system behavior than operational,
    coordination, or regulatory mechanisms. The feedback loops operate across multiple
    VSM systems rather than being localized to any particular one.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity illuminates an important structural mechanism in Smith's
    analysis of colonial development, explaining how initial advantages compound into
    sustained economic growth. It provides genuine insight into the dynamics of colonial
    economic systems beyond merely describing surface-level prosperity.
---

# Evaluation: Colony Economic System Feedback Loops

## definition_precision — 3.0 / 5.0

The definition captures a legitimate economic concept but uses somewhat vague language like "self-reinforcing mechanisms" and "virtuous cycles" without specifying the exact causal pathways. It identifies the core idea of positive feedback but could be more precise about the specific mechanisms involved.

## source_grounding — 4.0 / 5.0

Smith does discuss how colonial economies develop through interconnected advantages where agricultural success enables manufacturing and commercial opportunities, which then support further development. The concept of feedback loops, while using modern terminology, accurately reflects Smith's observations about colonial economic dynamics.

## domain_placement — 4.0 / 5.0

"Accumulation" is an appropriate domain since these feedback loops are fundamentally about how capital and economic capacity build upon themselves in colonial settings. The placement correctly identifies this as a process of economic growth and capital formation rather than just trade or governance.

## vsm_relevance — 2.0 / 5.0

This entity describes a general systemic property rather than mapping to specific VSM functions - it's more about emergent system behavior than operational, coordination, or regulatory mechanisms. The feedback loops operate across multiple VSM systems rather than being localized to any particular one.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity illuminates an important structural mechanism in Smith's analysis of colonial development, explaining how initial advantages compound into sustained economic growth. It provides genuine insight into the dynamics of colonial economic systems beyond merely describing surface-level prosperity.
