---
entity_slug: prohibition_of_importation
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:11:22.585604'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes prohibition of importation as government
    bans on specific foreign goods, particularly manufactured products competing with
    domestic production. It avoids circularity and captures a distinct policy tool
    rather than a vague concept.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's analysis in Book IV, Chapter
    8, where he extensively examines import prohibitions as a central mechanism of
    the mercantile system. The definition accurately reflects Smith's treatment of
    how these bans protect domestic manufacturers at the expense of broader economic
    welfare.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Regulation" domain assignment is precisely correct, as prohibition
    of importation represents a specific form of government regulatory intervention
    in markets. This clearly belongs in the regulatory category rather than production,
    exchange, or other economic domains.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps reasonably well to S3 (internal regulation) as it represents
    regulatory control mechanisms within the economic system. However, it could also
    relate to S4 (environmental adaptation) regarding how the system responds to foreign
    competition, making the VSM placement somewhat ambiguous.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity provides strong explanatory value by illuminating a key mechanism
    through which the mercantile system operates and demonstrating the tension between
    protecting specific industries versus maximizing overall national wealth. It reveals
    important structural relations between trade policy and economic outcomes that
    Smith analyzes.
---

# Evaluation: Prohibition Of Importation

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes prohibition of importation as government bans on specific foreign goods, particularly manufactured products competing with domestic production. It avoids circularity and captures a distinct policy tool rather than a vague concept.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's analysis in Book IV, Chapter 8, where he extensively examines import prohibitions as a central mechanism of the mercantile system. The definition accurately reflects Smith's treatment of how these bans protect domestic manufacturers at the expense of broader economic welfare.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Regulation" domain assignment is precisely correct, as prohibition of importation represents a specific form of government regulatory intervention in markets. This clearly belongs in the regulatory category rather than production, exchange, or other economic domains.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This entity maps reasonably well to S3 (internal regulation) as it represents regulatory control mechanisms within the economic system. However, it could also relate to S4 (environmental adaptation) regarding how the system responds to foreign competition, making the VSM placement somewhat ambiguous.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity provides strong explanatory value by illuminating a key mechanism through which the mercantile system operates and demonstrating the tension between protecting specific industries versus maximizing overall national wealth. It reveals important structural relations between trade policy and economic outcomes that Smith analyzes.
