---
entity_slug: restraints_upon_importation
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:17:42.823246'
overall_score: 4.6
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition is clear and specific, distinguishing between complete
    prohibitions and high tariffs as mechanisms to create domestic monopolies. It
    avoids circularity and captures a distinct policy instrument rather than a vague
    concept.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text, as Book IV, Chapter
    2 explicitly examines restraints upon importation as a core protectionist mechanism.
    The definition accurately reflects Smith's analysis of how these policies function
    and their economic effects.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Regulation" domain assignment is precisely correct, as restraints
    upon importation are fundamentally regulatory instruments that government uses
    to control trade flows. This clearly distinguishes them from market mechanisms
    or production concepts.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps well to S3 (internal regulation) as it represents regulatory
    mechanisms that control system boundaries and resource flows. It also has relevance
    to S4 (intelligence) as these policies reflect responses to perceived environmental
    threats from foreign competition.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating the
    specific mechanism through which protectionist policies operate to distort market
    competition. It reveals the structural relationship between trade policy, domestic
    monopolization, and economic efficiency that is central to Smith's critique.
---

# Evaluation: Restraints Upon Importation

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition is clear and specific, distinguishing between complete prohibitions and high tariffs as mechanisms to create domestic monopolies. It avoids circularity and captures a distinct policy instrument rather than a vague concept.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text, as Book IV, Chapter 2 explicitly examines restraints upon importation as a core protectionist mechanism. The definition accurately reflects Smith's analysis of how these policies function and their economic effects.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Regulation" domain assignment is precisely correct, as restraints upon importation are fundamentally regulatory instruments that government uses to control trade flows. This clearly distinguishes them from market mechanisms or production concepts.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity maps well to S3 (internal regulation) as it represents regulatory mechanisms that control system boundaries and resource flows. It also has relevance to S4 (intelligence) as these policies reflect responses to perceived environmental threats from foreign competition.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating the specific mechanism through which protectionist policies operate to distort market competition. It reveals the structural relationship between trade policy, domestic monopolization, and economic efficiency that is central to Smith's critique.
