---
entity_slug: modes_of_expense_affecting_public_opulence
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:54:01.436573'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes between two specific modes of expense
    (consumable vs. durable goods) and articulates the mechanisms by which they differently
    affect public wealth. While comprehensive, it could be slightly more concise in
    its formulation.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This concept is directly grounded in Smith's analysis in Book II, Chapter
    3, where he explicitly contrasts spending on durable commodities versus perishable
    goods and their differential effects on national wealth. The entity accurately
    captures Smith's argument about how durable goods benefit "inferior ranks" and
    maintain productive employment.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Consumption" domain is perfectly appropriate since this entity specifically
    analyzes different patterns of spending/consuming revenue and their economic consequences.
    This is fundamentally about consumption choices rather than production, exchange,
    or distribution.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity has some relevance to S4 (intelligence/adaptation) as it
    represents strategic choices about resource allocation that affect long-term viability,
    but it doesn't map clearly to any single VSM system. It's more of a policy principle
    that could inform multiple systems rather than being a distinct operational component.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity provides genuine explanatory power by illuminating the mechanism
    through which different consumption patterns create differential effects on national
    wealth, employment, and social distribution. It reveals an important structural
    relationship between individual spending choices and aggregate economic outcomes.
---

# Evaluation: Modes Of Expense Affecting Public Opulence

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes between two specific modes of expense (consumable vs. durable goods) and articulates the mechanisms by which they differently affect public wealth. While comprehensive, it could be slightly more concise in its formulation.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This concept is directly grounded in Smith's analysis in Book II, Chapter 3, where he explicitly contrasts spending on durable commodities versus perishable goods and their differential effects on national wealth. The entity accurately captures Smith's argument about how durable goods benefit "inferior ranks" and maintain productive employment.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Consumption" domain is perfectly appropriate since this entity specifically analyzes different patterns of spending/consuming revenue and their economic consequences. This is fundamentally about consumption choices rather than production, exchange, or distribution.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This entity has some relevance to S4 (intelligence/adaptation) as it represents strategic choices about resource allocation that affect long-term viability, but it doesn't map clearly to any single VSM system. It's more of a policy principle that could inform multiple systems rather than being a distinct operational component.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity provides genuine explanatory power by illuminating the mechanism through which different consumption patterns create differential effects on national wealth, employment, and social distribution. It reveals an important structural relationship between individual spending choices and aggregate economic outcomes.
