---
entity_slug: metayer
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:52:08.008268'
overall_score: 4.6
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition is highly precise, clearly distinguishing metayage from
    other agricultural arrangements by specifying the capital ownership (landlord's),
    labor provision (tenant's), and profit-sharing mechanism (equal division after
    stock maintenance). This captures a distinct economic relationship rather than
    a vague category.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book III, Chapter
    2, where he explicitly discusses the French metayer system and compares it to
    slavery and freehold farming. The definition accurately reflects Smith's own characterization
    of this agricultural arrangement.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Production" domain assignment is correct, as metayage is fundamentally
    about organizing agricultural production through a specific capital-labor arrangement.
    This fits perfectly within Smith's analysis of different modes of productive organization.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps well to S1 (primary operations) as it describes a specific
    operational structure for agricultural production, and has some S3 relevance regarding
    how the profit-sharing arrangement regulates tenant behavior. The incentive structure
    makes it more than VSM-neutral.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: "The entity illuminates an important mechanism in Smith's analysis of\
    \ agricultural development\u2014how different tenure arrangements create different\
    \ incentives for investment and improvement. It demonstrates a structural relationship\
    \ between property rights, capital provision, and productive efficiency."
---

# Evaluation: Metayer

## definition_precision — 5.0 / 5.0

The definition is highly precise, clearly distinguishing metayage from other agricultural arrangements by specifying the capital ownership (landlord's), labor provision (tenant's), and profit-sharing mechanism (equal division after stock maintenance). This captures a distinct economic relationship rather than a vague category.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book III, Chapter 2, where he explicitly discusses the French metayer system and compares it to slavery and freehold farming. The definition accurately reflects Smith's own characterization of this agricultural arrangement.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Production" domain assignment is correct, as metayage is fundamentally about organizing agricultural production through a specific capital-labor arrangement. This fits perfectly within Smith's analysis of different modes of productive organization.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity maps well to S1 (primary operations) as it describes a specific operational structure for agricultural production, and has some S3 relevance regarding how the profit-sharing arrangement regulates tenant behavior. The incentive structure makes it more than VSM-neutral.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity illuminates an important mechanism in Smith's analysis of agricultural development—how different tenure arrangements create different incentives for investment and improvement. It demonstrates a structural relationship between property rights, capital provision, and productive efficiency.
