---
entity_slug: monopoly_of_trade
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:55:57.916458'
overall_score: 4.4
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes monopoly of trade as government-granted
    exclusive commercial privileges that restrict competition, with specific mechanisms
    (artificially raised prices, reduced quality) and scope (domestic and colonial).
    It avoids circularity and captures a distinct economic structure rather than a
    vague concept.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is deeply grounded in Smith's actual analysis, particularly
    Book IV Chapter 8 which extensively examines monopolistic trade practices, colonial
    monopolies, and their effects on prices and consumer welfare. The definition accurately
    reflects Smith's specific critiques of exclusive trading privileges.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"Regulation" is the correct domain placement since monopolies of trade
    are fundamentally about government-imposed market restrictions and regulatory
    frameworks that constrain natural market operations. This fits perfectly within
    Smith''s analysis of regulatory interference with free trade.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity has moderate VSM relevance, primarily mapping to S3 (internal
    regulation) as a regulatory mechanism that controls market access, and potentially
    S4 (intelligence) regarding how governments manage trade relationships. However,
    it's more of a structural constraint than an active system component.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides excellent explanatory power by illuminating the
    specific mechanism through which government intervention distorts natural market
    operations, connecting regulatory structure to economic outcomes (higher prices,
    reduced quality, restricted consumer choice). It reveals a key structural relationship
    in Smith's critique of mercantilism.
---

# Evaluation: Monopoly Of Trade

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes monopoly of trade as government-granted exclusive commercial privileges that restrict competition, with specific mechanisms (artificially raised prices, reduced quality) and scope (domestic and colonial). It avoids circularity and captures a distinct economic structure rather than a vague concept.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is deeply grounded in Smith's actual analysis, particularly Book IV Chapter 8 which extensively examines monopolistic trade practices, colonial monopolies, and their effects on prices and consumer welfare. The definition accurately reflects Smith's specific critiques of exclusive trading privileges.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"Regulation" is the correct domain placement since monopolies of trade are fundamentally about government-imposed market restrictions and regulatory frameworks that constrain natural market operations. This fits perfectly within Smith's analysis of regulatory interference with free trade.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This entity has moderate VSM relevance, primarily mapping to S3 (internal regulation) as a regulatory mechanism that controls market access, and potentially S4 (intelligence) regarding how governments manage trade relationships. However, it's more of a structural constraint than an active system component.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides excellent explanatory power by illuminating the specific mechanism through which government intervention distorts natural market operations, connecting regulatory structure to economic outcomes (higher prices, reduced quality, restricted consumer choice). It reveals a key structural relationship in Smith's critique of mercantilism.
