---
entity_slug: treasure_accumulation
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:33:57.551831'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes treasure accumulation as the hoarding
    of precious metals by governments and individuals, with specific emphasis on Smith's
    critique of this practice. It avoids circularity and captures a distinct economic
    behavior rather than a vague concept.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Book IV, Chapter 1 of The Wealth
    of Nations, where Smith extensively critiques mercantile policies of hoarding
    precious metals. The characterization of Smith's argument about dead capital versus
    productive employment accurately reflects his position in the source text.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Accumulation" domain is perfectly appropriate for this concept,
    as treasure accumulation represents a specific form of wealth accumulation that
    Smith analyzes. This fits naturally within the broader economic category of how
    societies build and store wealth.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity has moderate VSM relevance, potentially mapping to S4 (intelligence/adaptation)
    as it represents a flawed strategy for national economic security, or S5 (policy/identity)
    as it reflects fundamental beliefs about what constitutes national wealth. However,
    it's more of a policy critique than a clear systemic function.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity provides strong explanatory value by illuminating Smith's
    critique of mercantile thinking and the mechanism by which hoarded wealth becomes
    unproductive "dead capital." It helps explain a key structural problem in economic
    thinking that Smith sought to correct.
---

# Evaluation: Treasure Accumulation

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes treasure accumulation as the hoarding of precious metals by governments and individuals, with specific emphasis on Smith's critique of this practice. It avoids circularity and captures a distinct economic behavior rather than a vague concept.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Book IV, Chapter 1 of The Wealth of Nations, where Smith extensively critiques mercantile policies of hoarding precious metals. The characterization of Smith's argument about dead capital versus productive employment accurately reflects his position in the source text.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Accumulation" domain is perfectly appropriate for this concept, as treasure accumulation represents a specific form of wealth accumulation that Smith analyzes. This fits naturally within the broader economic category of how societies build and store wealth.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This entity has moderate VSM relevance, potentially mapping to S4 (intelligence/adaptation) as it represents a flawed strategy for national economic security, or S5 (policy/identity) as it reflects fundamental beliefs about what constitutes national wealth. However, it's more of a policy critique than a clear systemic function.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity provides strong explanatory value by illuminating Smith's critique of mercantile thinking and the mechanism by which hoarded wealth becomes unproductive "dead capital." It helps explain a key structural problem in economic thinking that Smith sought to correct.
