---
entity_slug: demesne
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:05:45.387851'
overall_score: 3.8
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes demesne land (retained by lords)
    from tenant land, providing a precise economic and legal distinction. The definition
    avoids circularity and captures a specific institutional arrangement within feudal
    systems.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity is directly grounded in Smith's discussion of traders on lords'
    demesnes receiving tax exemptions in Book III, Chapter 3. While the definition
    expands somewhat beyond Smith's specific mention, it accurately reflects the historical
    concept Smith was referencing.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement since demesnes
    represent a fundamental institutional structure that underpins Smith''s analysis
    of feudal economic organization. This concept relates to broader theoretical questions
    about property rights and economic organization.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: Demesnes are primarily a static institutional/property arrangement rather
    than a dynamic system function. While they might loosely relate to S1 (as operational
    units of production), they don't naturally map to VSM's cybernetic framework focused
    on organizational control and adaptation.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: "The concept illuminates an important structural mechanism in feudal\
    \ economics\u2014how land tenure arrangements created distinct economic zones\
    \ with different privileges and obligations. This helps explain the institutional\
    \ foundations underlying Smith's discussion of medieval trade and taxation."
---

# Evaluation: Demesne

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes demesne land (retained by lords) from tenant land, providing a precise economic and legal distinction. The definition avoids circularity and captures a specific institutional arrangement within feudal systems.

## source_grounding — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity is directly grounded in Smith's discussion of traders on lords' demesnes receiving tax exemptions in Book III, Chapter 3. While the definition expands somewhat beyond Smith's specific mention, it accurately reflects the historical concept Smith was referencing.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement since demesnes represent a fundamental institutional structure that underpins Smith's analysis of feudal economic organization. This concept relates to broader theoretical questions about property rights and economic organization.

## vsm_relevance — 2.0 / 5.0

Demesnes are primarily a static institutional/property arrangement rather than a dynamic system function. While they might loosely relate to S1 (as operational units of production), they don't naturally map to VSM's cybernetic framework focused on organizational control and adaptation.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The concept illuminates an important structural mechanism in feudal economics—how land tenure arrangements created distinct economic zones with different privileges and obligations. This helps explain the institutional foundations underlying Smith's discussion of medieval trade and taxation.
