---
entity_slug: colony_prosperity
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T04:56:34.728959'
overall_score: 4.0
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition is quite precise, clearly identifying the specific phenomenon
    of rapid economic growth in British North American colonies with high wages despite
    lower absolute wealth. It avoids circularity and captures a distinct empirical
    observation that Smith uses as evidence for his theoretical point.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter
    8, where he explicitly discusses the prosperity of North American colonies as
    a key example. Smith uses this case to illustrate his argument about how the rate
    of wealth increase affects wages more than absolute wealth levels.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The placement in "General Theory" is appropriate since this represents
    a specific empirical case that supports Smith's broader theoretical framework
    about wages and economic growth. It serves as evidence for general principles
    rather than being a standalone theoretical concept.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity describes an empirical outcome or state rather than a systemic
    function or mechanism, making it largely VSM-neutral. While it might relate to
    S4 (environmental intelligence) as an observed economic condition, it doesn't
    naturally map to any specific VSM system function.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides significant explanatory value by illustrating the
    counterintuitive principle that wage levels depend more on the rate of capital
    growth than absolute wealth accumulation. It serves as crucial empirical evidence
    that helps explain Smith's theoretical mechanism about labor demand and economic
    dynamics.
---

# Evaluation: Colony Prosperity

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition is quite precise, clearly identifying the specific phenomenon of rapid economic growth in British North American colonies with high wages despite lower absolute wealth. It avoids circularity and captures a distinct empirical observation that Smith uses as evidence for his theoretical point.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book I, Chapter 8, where he explicitly discusses the prosperity of North American colonies as a key example. Smith uses this case to illustrate his argument about how the rate of wealth increase affects wages more than absolute wealth levels.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The placement in "General Theory" is appropriate since this represents a specific empirical case that supports Smith's broader theoretical framework about wages and economic growth. It serves as evidence for general principles rather than being a standalone theoretical concept.

## vsm_relevance — 2.0 / 5.0

This entity describes an empirical outcome or state rather than a systemic function or mechanism, making it largely VSM-neutral. While it might relate to S4 (environmental intelligence) as an observed economic condition, it doesn't naturally map to any specific VSM system function.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity provides significant explanatory value by illustrating the counterintuitive principle that wage levels depend more on the rate of capital growth than absolute wealth accumulation. It serves as crucial empirical evidence that helps explain Smith's theoretical mechanism about labor demand and economic dynamics.
