---
entity_slug: colony_economic_system_principles
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T04:55:21.608735'
overall_score: 3.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition is vague and circular, essentially saying "principles
    that underlie colonial economic arrangements should be based on principles of
    natural liberty." It doesn't clearly distinguish what makes these principles specifically
    about colonies versus general economic principles.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: While Smith does discuss colonial policy and advocates for free trade
    over mercantilism in Book V, the entity appears to abstract his specific arguments
    into a generalized concept of "colony economic system principles" that may not
    reflect how Smith actually structured his analysis.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Regulation" domain placement is appropriate since Smith's colonial
    discussions in Book V focus heavily on regulatory frameworks, trade restrictions,
    and government policies affecting colonial commerce.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps clearly to S5 (identity/policy) as it deals with fundamental
    principles and policy frameworks that define how colonial economic systems should
    operate, representing the highest level of systemic identity and purpose.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity provides limited explanatory power, functioning more as a
    broad umbrella term than illuminating specific mechanisms or structural relations
    that Smith identifies in colonial economic arrangements.
---

# Evaluation: Colony Economic System Principles

## definition_precision — 2.0 / 5.0

The definition is vague and circular, essentially saying "principles that underlie colonial economic arrangements should be based on principles of natural liberty." It doesn't clearly distinguish what makes these principles specifically about colonies versus general economic principles.

## source_grounding — 3.0 / 5.0

While Smith does discuss colonial policy and advocates for free trade over mercantilism in Book V, the entity appears to abstract his specific arguments into a generalized concept of "colony economic system principles" that may not reflect how Smith actually structured his analysis.

## domain_placement — 4.0 / 5.0

The "Regulation" domain placement is appropriate since Smith's colonial discussions in Book V focus heavily on regulatory frameworks, trade restrictions, and government policies affecting colonial commerce.

## vsm_relevance — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity maps clearly to S5 (identity/policy) as it deals with fundamental principles and policy frameworks that define how colonial economic systems should operate, representing the highest level of systemic identity and purpose.

## explanatory_value — 2.0 / 5.0

The entity provides limited explanatory power, functioning more as a broad umbrella term than illuminating specific mechanisms or structural relations that Smith identifies in colonial economic arrangements.
