Public Administration and Economic Measurement

This lecture discusses the evolution of economic measurement, focusing on the inclusion of non-market activities in the GDP, such as public administration, drug trade, and prostitution. It explores how quantification choices impact what is visible or hidden in economic data, emphasizing the importance of defining categories to shape what can be understood, questioned, and governed. The lecture also delves into the challenges of ensuring comparability over time and across regions, highlighting the influence of different measurement practices on economic representation and policymaking.