---
entity_slug: commercial_discord_source
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T04:57:51.278478'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes between natural commercial cooperation
    and artificially created conflicts through mercantilist policies. It precisely
    identifies the mechanism (mercantilist trade policies) and the outcome (mutual
    economic harm through restrictions and retaliations).
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's explicit argument from Book
    IV, Chapter 3, including his specific language about commerce being transformed
    from "a bond of union and friendship" into "the most fertile source of discord
    and animosity." The concept captures Smith's central critique of mercantilism's
    effects on international relations.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Regulation" domain is perfectly appropriate since this entity concerns
    how mercantilist regulatory policies and trade restrictions create artificial
    conflicts between nations. It directly addresses the regulatory framework that
    distorts natural commercial relationships.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity has some relevance to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation)
    as it concerns how nations misperceive and respond to their international commercial
    environment, but it's more of a pathological outcome than a clear VSM system function.
    It describes a failure mode rather than a viable system component.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating how
    regulatory mechanisms (mercantilist policies) create structural dysfunction in
    international commerce, transforming natural cooperation into artificial conflict.
    It reveals an important causal relationship between policy design and international
    relations outcomes.
---

# Evaluation: Commercial Discord Source

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes between natural commercial cooperation and artificially created conflicts through mercantilist policies. It precisely identifies the mechanism (mercantilist trade policies) and the outcome (mutual economic harm through restrictions and retaliations).

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's explicit argument from Book IV, Chapter 3, including his specific language about commerce being transformed from "a bond of union and friendship" into "the most fertile source of discord and animosity." The concept captures Smith's central critique of mercantilism's effects on international relations.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Regulation" domain is perfectly appropriate since this entity concerns how mercantilist regulatory policies and trade restrictions create artificial conflicts between nations. It directly addresses the regulatory framework that distorts natural commercial relationships.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This entity has some relevance to S4 (intelligence/environmental adaptation) as it concerns how nations misperceive and respond to their international commercial environment, but it's more of a pathological outcome than a clear VSM system function. It describes a failure mode rather than a viable system component.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity provides significant explanatory power by illuminating how regulatory mechanisms (mercantilist policies) create structural dysfunction in international commerce, transforming natural cooperation into artificial conflict. It reveals an important causal relationship between policy design and international relations outcomes.
