---
entity_slug: monopoly_of_sugar_trade
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:55:39.587518'
overall_score: 4.4
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly distinguishes this as Britain's "near-exclusive
    control" over sugar imports from West Indian islands, with specific mention of
    regulatory mechanisms like duties and drawbacks. It avoids circularity and captures
    a distinct trade control mechanism rather than a vague concept.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The entity is directly grounded in Book IV, Chapter 4, with specific
    references to the comparison with tobacco monopoly, drawback policies, and the
    relationship between import volumes and domestic consumption. The definition closely
    follows Smith's actual discussion of British sugar trade control.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Exchange" domain is perfectly appropriate for a trade monopoly that
    fundamentally concerns the regulation and control of commercial transactions between
    Britain and its colonies. This is clearly about market mechanisms and trade relationships
    rather than production or consumption.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity maps well to S3 (internal regulation) as it represents Britain's
    regulatory control over colonial trade flows, and potentially S4 (intelligence)
    in how drawback policies are adjusted based on consumption patterns. The monopoly
    represents a clear control mechanism within the imperial economic system.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: "The entity illuminates an important structural mechanism of mercantile\
    \ control\u2014how Britain maintained economic dominance through trade monopolies\
    \ while using policy tools like drawbacks to manage supply-demand imbalances.\
    \ It reveals the sophisticated regulatory apparatus behind colonial economic relationships."
---

# Evaluation: Monopoly Of Sugar Trade

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly distinguishes this as Britain's "near-exclusive control" over sugar imports from West Indian islands, with specific mention of regulatory mechanisms like duties and drawbacks. It avoids circularity and captures a distinct trade control mechanism rather than a vague concept.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

The entity is directly grounded in Book IV, Chapter 4, with specific references to the comparison with tobacco monopoly, drawback policies, and the relationship between import volumes and domestic consumption. The definition closely follows Smith's actual discussion of British sugar trade control.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Exchange" domain is perfectly appropriate for a trade monopoly that fundamentally concerns the regulation and control of commercial transactions between Britain and its colonies. This is clearly about market mechanisms and trade relationships rather than production or consumption.

## vsm_relevance — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity maps well to S3 (internal regulation) as it represents Britain's regulatory control over colonial trade flows, and potentially S4 (intelligence) in how drawback policies are adjusted based on consumption patterns. The monopoly represents a clear control mechanism within the imperial economic system.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

The entity illuminates an important structural mechanism of mercantile control—how Britain maintained economic dominance through trade monopolies while using policy tools like drawbacks to manage supply-demand imbalances. It reveals the sophisticated regulatory apparatus behind colonial economic relationships.
