Economy Quote by Nathan Myhrvold
“Efficiency in government is a more elusive concept than efficiency in the private economy, which may be measured relatively easily as output per units of input. What is the government's 'output?'”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on public sector efficiency, 2010
Government output is hard to define because its goals are multifaceted and not always quantifiable.
In simple terms: Hard to measure government success.
Key Takeaway
Focus on clear, measurable objectives.
Themes
public policy
efficiency
measurement
governance
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
policy
analytical
When to use this quote
- budget planning
- policy evaluation
- service delivery
- citizen satisfaction
Key Concepts
public goods
accountability
performance metrics
Questions to Reflect On
- What metrics truly reflect public value?
- How can we balance efficiency with equity?
A Different Perspective
Quantifying outcomes may ignore qualitative benefits.
