---
entity_slug: commercial_regulations
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T04:59:23.667648'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition is precise and clearly distinguishes commercial regulations
    from natural market mechanisms, specifying concrete examples (tariffs, quotas,
    prohibitions, licensing) and their political rather than economic rationale. It
    avoids circularity by defining the concept through its mechanism and purpose rather
    than just restating the term.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's extensive critique of mercantile
    system interventions throughout Book IV, particularly Chapter 8's systematic examination
    of trade restrictions. Smith explicitly analyzes how these regulations substitute
    "political wisdom" for market forces and produce unintended consequences.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Regulation" domain is precisely correct, as commercial regulations
    represent the primary regulatory mechanism by which governments attempt to control
    trade flows. This clearly distinguishes it from pure market phenomena or institutional
    structures.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: Commercial regulations map somewhat awkwardly to VSM systems as they
    represent external constraints on the economic system rather than internal cybernetic
    functions. They might relate to S3 (internal regulation) by analogy, but they're
    actually external political impositions that disrupt rather than enable viable
    system operation.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides strong explanatory power by illuminating the key
    mechanism through which the mercantile system attempts to manage economic activity
    and why such interventions systematically fail. It reveals the structural tension
    between political direction and market coordination that is central to Smith's
    critique.
---

# Evaluation: Commercial Regulations

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition is precise and clearly distinguishes commercial regulations from natural market mechanisms, specifying concrete examples (tariffs, quotas, prohibitions, licensing) and their political rather than economic rationale. It avoids circularity by defining the concept through its mechanism and purpose rather than just restating the term.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's extensive critique of mercantile system interventions throughout Book IV, particularly Chapter 8's systematic examination of trade restrictions. Smith explicitly analyzes how these regulations substitute "political wisdom" for market forces and produce unintended consequences.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Regulation" domain is precisely correct, as commercial regulations represent the primary regulatory mechanism by which governments attempt to control trade flows. This clearly distinguishes it from pure market phenomena or institutional structures.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

Commercial regulations map somewhat awkwardly to VSM systems as they represent external constraints on the economic system rather than internal cybernetic functions. They might relate to S3 (internal regulation) by analogy, but they're actually external political impositions that disrupt rather than enable viable system operation.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity provides strong explanatory power by illuminating the key mechanism through which the mercantile system attempts to manage economic activity and why such interventions systematically fail. It reveals the structural tension between political direction and market coordination that is central to Smith's critique.
