---
entity_slug: national_prejudice_in_trade
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:57:35.890242'
overall_score: 4.6
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes national prejudice from rational
    economic considerations and specifies its effects on resource allocation. It could
    be slightly more precise about what constitutes "nationalistic rather than economic
    considerations" but captures a distinct concept well.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This concept is thoroughly grounded in Smith's text, particularly in
    Book IV where he extensively critiques the "prejudices" and "jealousy of trade"
    that drive mercantile policies. Smith explicitly argues that such prejudices lead
    nations to adopt harmful protectionist measures.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: '"Regulation" is the correct domain placement since national prejudice
    manifests primarily through regulatory mechanisms like tariffs, quotas, and trade
    restrictions. This is fundamentally about how governments regulate commerce based
    on biased reasoning.'
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps well to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as
    it represents flawed intelligence gathering and interpretation about foreign trade
    relationships. It also connects to S5 (identity/policy) as national prejudice
    shapes fundamental policy orientations toward other nations.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides strong explanatory power by identifying the psychological
    and ideological mechanism behind protectionist policies that Smith critiques.
    It explains why economically harmful policies persist despite their negative effects
    on national wealth.
---

# Evaluation: National Prejudice In Trade

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes national prejudice from rational economic considerations and specifies its effects on resource allocation. It could be slightly more precise about what constitutes "nationalistic rather than economic considerations" but captures a distinct concept well.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This concept is thoroughly grounded in Smith's text, particularly in Book IV where he extensively critiques the "prejudices" and "jealousy of trade" that drive mercantile policies. Smith explicitly argues that such prejudices lead nations to adopt harmful protectionist measures.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

"Regulation" is the correct domain placement since national prejudice manifests primarily through regulatory mechanisms like tariffs, quotas, and trade restrictions. This is fundamentally about how governments regulate commerce based on biased reasoning.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity maps well to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as it represents flawed intelligence gathering and interpretation about foreign trade relationships. It also connects to S5 (identity/policy) as national prejudice shapes fundamental policy orientations toward other nations.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides strong explanatory power by identifying the psychological and ideological mechanism behind protectionist policies that Smith critiques. It explains why economically harmful policies persist despite their negative effects on national wealth.
