---
entity_slug: public_registers_of_manufactures
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:13:48.659935'
overall_score: 3.8
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition captures a specific concept about official manufacturing
    records, but it's somewhat diffuse in combining the incompleteness issue with
    the specific example of extraordinary work in cheap years. The core idea of inadequate
    official records is clear, though the definition could be more focused.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This appears well-grounded in Smith's actual discussion of how public
    registers fail to capture manufacturing activity, particularly his observations
    about unrecorded work by independent craftsmen and families. The criticism of
    merchants using these incomplete records to make false claims about economic conditions
    aligns with Smith's skepticism of such data.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"General Theory" is appropriate since this relates to Smith''s broader
    methodological concerns about measuring economic activity and the limitations
    of available data sources. This is more about the epistemological foundations
    of economic analysis than a specific market mechanism.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This maps well to S3 (internal regulation/audit) as it concerns the inadequacy
    of monitoring and measurement systems within the economic system. It also touches
    on S4 (intelligence) regarding how incomplete information affects understanding
    of environmental conditions.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity illuminates an important structural problem in economic measurement
    and information systems that Smith identified - how official records systematically
    undercount certain types of productive activity. This has genuine explanatory
    power for understanding limitations in economic data and policy-making.
---

# Evaluation: Public Registers Of Manufactures

## definition_precision — 3.0 / 5.0

The definition captures a specific concept about official manufacturing records, but it's somewhat diffuse in combining the incompleteness issue with the specific example of extraordinary work in cheap years. The core idea of inadequate official records is clear, though the definition could be more focused.

## source_grounding — 4.0 / 5.0

This appears well-grounded in Smith's actual discussion of how public registers fail to capture manufacturing activity, particularly his observations about unrecorded work by independent craftsmen and families. The criticism of merchants using these incomplete records to make false claims about economic conditions aligns with Smith's skepticism of such data.

## domain_placement — 4.0 / 5.0

"General Theory" is appropriate since this relates to Smith's broader methodological concerns about measuring economic activity and the limitations of available data sources. This is more about the epistemological foundations of economic analysis than a specific market mechanism.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This maps well to S3 (internal regulation/audit) as it concerns the inadequacy of monitoring and measurement systems within the economic system. It also touches on S4 (intelligence) regarding how incomplete information affects understanding of environmental conditions.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity illuminates an important structural problem in economic measurement and information systems that Smith identified - how official records systematically undercount certain types of productive activity. This has genuine explanatory power for understanding limitations in economic data and policy-making.
