---
entity_slug: corn_exportation_prohibition
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:02:59.064680'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly specifies legal restrictions on grain export requiring
    special licenses, distinguishing it from general trade restrictions. It precisely
    captures the mercantilist policy mechanism and its economic effects on agricultural
    regions.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's analysis in Book III, Chapter
    2, where he explicitly discusses corn exportation prohibitions as part of his
    critique of policies that discouraged agricultural development in medieval Europe.
    The connection to comparative advantage and agricultural decline reflects Smith's
    actual arguments.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"Regulation" is the correct domain placement, as this represents a specific
    government policy intervention that restricts market operations. It fits squarely
    within Smith''s analysis of regulatory barriers to economic development.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This maps primarily to S3 (internal regulation) as a control mechanism,
    but also touches S4 (environmental adaptation) since it prevents the economic
    system from adapting to external market opportunities. The dual mapping makes
    it moderately relevant but not perfectly aligned with a single VSM system.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity illuminates a specific mechanism by which mercantilist policies
    undermined agricultural development and regional comparative advantages. It demonstrates
    how regulatory restrictions created structural barriers to economic growth rather
    than merely naming a surface policy.
---

# Evaluation: Corn Exportation Prohibition

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly specifies legal restrictions on grain export requiring special licenses, distinguishing it from general trade restrictions. It precisely captures the mercantilist policy mechanism and its economic effects on agricultural regions.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's analysis in Book III, Chapter 2, where he explicitly discusses corn exportation prohibitions as part of his critique of policies that discouraged agricultural development in medieval Europe. The connection to comparative advantage and agricultural decline reflects Smith's actual arguments.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"Regulation" is the correct domain placement, as this represents a specific government policy intervention that restricts market operations. It fits squarely within Smith's analysis of regulatory barriers to economic development.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This maps primarily to S3 (internal regulation) as a control mechanism, but also touches S4 (environmental adaptation) since it prevents the economic system from adapting to external market opportunities. The dual mapping makes it moderately relevant but not perfectly aligned with a single VSM system.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity illuminates a specific mechanism by which mercantilist policies undermined agricultural development and regional comparative advantages. It demonstrates how regulatory restrictions created structural barriers to economic growth rather than merely naming a surface policy.
