---
entity_slug: military_employment
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:52:44.111728'
overall_score: 3.8
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition is quite precise, clearly identifying military employment
    as service in armed forces with specific characteristics (poor compensation relative
    to risk, limited advancement, wages below common laborers). It avoids circularity
    and captures a distinct occupational category that Smith analyzes.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is well-grounded in Smith's actual analysis from Book I,
    Chapter 10, where he explicitly discusses military service as an example of occupation
    with compensation below what rational risk assessment would demand. The reference
    to "romantic notions of honour" directly reflects Smith's reasoning about why
    such employment persists despite poor material conditions.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: Placement in "Distribution" domain is appropriate since Smith's analysis
    focuses on wage distribution and compensation patterns across occupations. Military
    employment serves as a case study in how non-monetary factors affect labor market
    outcomes and wage determination.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 2.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity has limited natural mapping to VSM systems as it represents
    a specific occupational category rather than a systemic function. While military
    forces might relate to S1 (operations) in a national context, Smith's focus is
    on labor economics rather than organizational cybernetics.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity provides significant explanatory value by illustrating Smith's
    broader theory about how non-monetary compensations (honor, social status) can
    sustain labor markets even when material rewards are inadequate. It demonstrates
    the role of psychological and social factors in economic decision-making.
---

# Evaluation: Military Employment

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition is quite precise, clearly identifying military employment as service in armed forces with specific characteristics (poor compensation relative to risk, limited advancement, wages below common laborers). It avoids circularity and captures a distinct occupational category that Smith analyzes.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is well-grounded in Smith's actual analysis from Book I, Chapter 10, where he explicitly discusses military service as an example of occupation with compensation below what rational risk assessment would demand. The reference to "romantic notions of honour" directly reflects Smith's reasoning about why such employment persists despite poor material conditions.

## domain_placement — 4.0 / 5.0

Placement in "Distribution" domain is appropriate since Smith's analysis focuses on wage distribution and compensation patterns across occupations. Military employment serves as a case study in how non-monetary factors affect labor market outcomes and wage determination.

## vsm_relevance — 2.0 / 5.0

This entity has limited natural mapping to VSM systems as it represents a specific occupational category rather than a systemic function. While military forces might relate to S1 (operations) in a national context, Smith's focus is on labor economics rather than organizational cybernetics.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity provides significant explanatory value by illustrating Smith's broader theory about how non-monetary compensations (honor, social status) can sustain labor markets even when material rewards are inadequate. It demonstrates the role of psychological and social factors in economic decision-making.
