---
entity_slug: economic_system_context
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:14:09.117271'
overall_score: 3.8
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition captures a meaningful concept about contextual factors
    shaping economic systems, but it's somewhat broad and could benefit from more
    precise boundaries. The phrase "circumstances that shape" is clear but the enumeration
    of factors (stage of opulence, technology, culture) feels somewhat open-ended
    rather than definitively bounded.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is well-grounded in Smith's explicit recognition that different
    ages and nations produce different economic systems, which is a clear theme throughout
    Book IV. The concept directly reflects Smith's comparative approach to analyzing
    mercantile versus other systems across different historical and geographical contexts.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"General Theory" is an appropriate domain placement since this concept
    operates at a meta-level about how economic systems emerge and function across
    different contexts. It''s foundational to understanding Smith''s broader theoretical
    framework rather than being specific to particular economic mechanisms.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps naturally to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation)
    as it concerns how economic systems must adapt to and reflect their environmental
    context. It also has relevance to S5 (identity/policy) in terms of how contextual
    factors shape the fundamental character and policy orientation of economic arrangements.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides genuine explanatory power by illuminating why different
    economic systems emerge in different contexts rather than treating economic arrangements
    as universal. It helps explain the structural relationship between environmental
    conditions and institutional forms, which is central to Smith's analytical method.
---

# Evaluation: Economic System Context

## definition_precision — 3.0 / 5.0

The definition captures a meaningful concept about contextual factors shaping economic systems, but it's somewhat broad and could benefit from more precise boundaries. The phrase "circumstances that shape" is clear but the enumeration of factors (stage of opulence, technology, culture) feels somewhat open-ended rather than definitively bounded.

## source_grounding — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity is well-grounded in Smith's explicit recognition that different ages and nations produce different economic systems, which is a clear theme throughout Book IV. The concept directly reflects Smith's comparative approach to analyzing mercantile versus other systems across different historical and geographical contexts.

## domain_placement — 4.0 / 5.0

"General Theory" is an appropriate domain placement since this concept operates at a meta-level about how economic systems emerge and function across different contexts. It's foundational to understanding Smith's broader theoretical framework rather than being specific to particular economic mechanisms.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity maps naturally to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as it concerns how economic systems must adapt to and reflect their environmental context. It also has relevance to S5 (identity/policy) in terms of how contextual factors shape the fundamental character and policy orientation of economic arrangements.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity provides genuine explanatory power by illuminating why different economic systems emerge in different contexts rather than treating economic arrangements as universal. It helps explain the structural relationship between environmental conditions and institutional forms, which is central to Smith's analytical method.
