---
entity_slug: urban_autonomy
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:35:59.802522'
overall_score: 4.6
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes urban autonomy as self-governance
    through royal charters, separate from feudal control, with specific institutional
    features (legal systems, commercial regulations). It avoids circularity and captures
    a distinct historical-economic phenomenon rather than a vague concept.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This concept is directly grounded in Smith's analysis in Book III, Chapter
    3, where he extensively discusses how towns gained independence from feudal lords
    through charters and privileges. Smith explicitly examines this transition as
    fundamental to commercial development.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Regulation" domain is perfectly appropriate, as urban autonomy fundamentally
    concerns the establishment of new regulatory frameworks and governance structures.
    This represents a shift in who controls economic rules and how they are enforced.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: Urban autonomy maps well to S3 (internal regulation) as it establishes
    new governance and audit mechanisms, and to S5 (identity/policy) as it represents
    towns defining their own identity separate from feudal structures. The institutional
    framework aspect gives it clear VSM relevance.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity illuminates a crucial structural mechanism in Smith's account
    of how market economies emerged from feudal systems. It explains the institutional
    prerequisites for commercial development and shows how governance structures enable
    economic transformation.
---

# Evaluation: Urban Autonomy

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes urban autonomy as self-governance through royal charters, separate from feudal control, with specific institutional features (legal systems, commercial regulations). It avoids circularity and captures a distinct historical-economic phenomenon rather than a vague concept.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This concept is directly grounded in Smith's analysis in Book III, Chapter 3, where he extensively discusses how towns gained independence from feudal lords through charters and privileges. Smith explicitly examines this transition as fundamental to commercial development.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Regulation" domain is perfectly appropriate, as urban autonomy fundamentally concerns the establishment of new regulatory frameworks and governance structures. This represents a shift in who controls economic rules and how they are enforced.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

Urban autonomy maps well to S3 (internal regulation) as it establishes new governance and audit mechanisms, and to S5 (identity/policy) as it represents towns defining their own identity separate from feudal structures. The institutional framework aspect gives it clear VSM relevance.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity illuminates a crucial structural mechanism in Smith's account of how market economies emerged from feudal systems. It explains the institutional prerequisites for commercial development and shows how governance structures enable economic transformation.
