---
entity_slug: sovereign_economic_policy_authority
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:22:58.678703'
overall_score: 4.6
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly delineates governmental power over commercial
    regulation and specifies the types of interventions (tariffs, prohibitions, bounties).
    It avoids circularity by defining the authority in terms of its scope and Smith's
    normative framework for its proper exercise.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Book IV, Chapter 3, where Smith extensively
    discusses how sovereigns have improperly delegated commercial policy to merchant
    interests and argues for restraint in economic intervention. The concept accurately
    reflects Smith's critique of mercantile influence on government policy.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"Regulation" is the correct domain placement as this entity specifically
    concerns governmental regulatory powers over commerce. The concept sits squarely
    within Smith''s analysis of state intervention in economic affairs.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps clearly to S5 (identity/policy) as it concerns the sovereign's
    ultimate authority to set economic policy direction and establish the regulatory
    framework within which the economic system operates. It represents the highest
    level of systemic governance.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: "The entity illuminates a key structural mechanism in Smith's political\
    \ economy\u2014how sovereign authority over commerce should be exercised and the\
    \ problems that arise when this authority is captured by private interests. It\
    \ explains the institutional foundation for proper economic governance rather\
    \ than merely naming a surface phenomenon."
---

# Evaluation: Sovereign Economic Policy Authority

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly delineates governmental power over commercial regulation and specifies the types of interventions (tariffs, prohibitions, bounties). It avoids circularity by defining the authority in terms of its scope and Smith's normative framework for its proper exercise.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Book IV, Chapter 3, where Smith extensively discusses how sovereigns have improperly delegated commercial policy to merchant interests and argues for restraint in economic intervention. The concept accurately reflects Smith's critique of mercantile influence on government policy.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"Regulation" is the correct domain placement as this entity specifically concerns governmental regulatory powers over commerce. The concept sits squarely within Smith's analysis of state intervention in economic affairs.

## vsm_relevance — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity maps clearly to S5 (identity/policy) as it concerns the sovereign's ultimate authority to set economic policy direction and establish the regulatory framework within which the economic system operates. It represents the highest level of systemic governance.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity illuminates a key structural mechanism in Smith's political economy—how sovereign authority over commerce should be exercised and the problems that arise when this authority is captured by private interests. It explains the institutional foundation for proper economic governance rather than merely naming a surface phenomenon.
