---
entity_slug: proportion_between_productive_and_unproductive_hands
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:11:49.338811'
overall_score: 4.4
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes between productive and unproductive
    labor and establishes a specific causal mechanism linking fund allocation to economic
    outcomes. While the terms "industry" and "idleness" could be more precisely defined,
    the core concept of a ratio determining economic character is well-articulated.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This concept is directly and extensively grounded in Book II, Chapter
    3, where Smith explicitly discusses the proportion between productive and unproductive
    hands and how it depends on capital allocation. The entity accurately reflects
    Smith's central argument in this chapter about how fund distribution affects national
    economic character.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this represents
    a fundamental theoretical relationship in Smith''s economic framework. This proportion
    is a core analytical tool that cuts across multiple specific economic phenomena
    and belongs at the theoretical level.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity has moderate VSM relevance, primarily mapping to S3 (internal
    regulation) as it represents a key resource allocation mechanism that determines
    systemic performance. However, it also touches on S5 (identity/policy) concerns
    about national economic character, making it somewhat distributed across VSM systems.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides excellent explanatory power by illuminating the
    fundamental mechanism through which capital allocation decisions aggregate to
    determine national economic outcomes. It reveals the structural relationship between
    micro-level investment choices and macro-level economic character, making it a
    key analytical tool rather than mere description.
---

# Evaluation: Proportion Between Productive And Unproductive Hands

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes between productive and unproductive labor and establishes a specific causal mechanism linking fund allocation to economic outcomes. While the terms "industry" and "idleness" could be more precisely defined, the core concept of a ratio determining economic character is well-articulated.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This concept is directly and extensively grounded in Book II, Chapter 3, where Smith explicitly discusses the proportion between productive and unproductive hands and how it depends on capital allocation. The entity accurately reflects Smith's central argument in this chapter about how fund distribution affects national economic character.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"General Theory" is the appropriate domain placement as this represents a fundamental theoretical relationship in Smith's economic framework. This proportion is a core analytical tool that cuts across multiple specific economic phenomena and belongs at the theoretical level.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This entity has moderate VSM relevance, primarily mapping to S3 (internal regulation) as it represents a key resource allocation mechanism that determines systemic performance. However, it also touches on S5 (identity/policy) concerns about national economic character, making it somewhat distributed across VSM systems.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides excellent explanatory power by illuminating the fundamental mechanism through which capital allocation decisions aggregate to determine national economic outcomes. It reveals the structural relationship between micro-level investment choices and macro-level economic character, making it a key analytical tool rather than mere description.
