---
canonical_url: "https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-26/mastering-leviathan-a-review-article-on-growing-the-productivity-of-government-services/"
title: "Mastering Leviathan: A Review Article on Growing the Productivity of Government Services"
author:
  name: "CSLS"
  url: "https://csls.ca/author/cslc/"
date_published: "2026-07-13T07:37:53+00:00"
date_modified: "2026-07-13T07:37:53+00:00"
post_type: "ipm"
summary: ""
ipm_issue_period:
  - "Fall 2013"
ipm_keyword:
  - "Atkinson Report"
  - "Carrera"
  - "Dunleavy"
  - "government productivity"
  - "ICT"
  - "output measurement"
  - "public sector"
  - "review article"
  - "United Kingdom"
ipm_research_theme:
  - "Sectoral and firm-level dynamics"
ipm_country_focus:
  - "Canada"
  - "International"
  - "United Kingdom"
featured_image: "https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IPM_50_banner.webp"
status: "publish"
---

# Mastering Leviathan: A Review Article on Growing the Productivity of Government Services

Canonical URL: https://csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-26/mastering-leviathan-a-review-article-on-growing-the-productivity-of-government-services/

# Mastering Leviathan: A Review Article on Growing the Productivity of Government Services

[Download full PDF article](https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IPM-Issue-26-6-ab-Iorwerth.pdf)

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Cite this article as:

Iorwerth, Aled ab. 2013. “Mastering Leviathan: A Review Article on Growing the Productivity of Government Services.” International Productivity Monitor, No. 26 (Fall 2013): 94–107. https://www.csls.ca/ipm-archive/ipm-issue-26/mastering-leviathan-a-review-article-on-growing-the-productivity-of-government-services/

## Author:

-
Aled ab Iorwerth
Economic Studies and Policy Analysis Division, Department of Finance Canada

## IPM Issue 26

Fall 2013 pp. 94–107

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## Abstract

## Résumé

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This review article evaluates the book Growing the Productivity of Government Services by Patrick Dunleavy and Leandro Carrera, which examines how government outputs can be measured and how the United Kingdom has strived to improve government productivity. The author finds the book valuable, as it shows how methodological advances reported in Sir Tony Atkinson’s recommendations on reporting government outputs can be put into practice. Furthermore, documenting how government productivity can be improved in the United Kingdom provides valuable lessons for other countries. The potential of technology to improve government productivity is emphasized in the book, although the author suggests that a more basic role of reporting on government output will spur reform. Strong management skills will be important not only for effective implementation of IT but also for broader improvements in government productivity. T HE IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT on the well-

Cet article de recension évalue l’ouvrage Growing the Productivity of Government Services de Patrick Dunleavy et Leandro Carrera, qui examine comment les extrants gouvernementaux peuvent être mesurés et comment le Royaume-Uni s’est efforcé d’améliorer la productivité du gouvernement. L’auteur juge l’ouvrage précieux, car il montre comment les avancées méthodologiques rapportées dans les recommandations de Sir Tony Atkinson sur la production gouvernementale peuvent être mises en pratique. En outre, le fait de documenter comment la productivité du gouvernement peut être améliorée au Royaume-Uni fournit des enseignements précieux pour d’autres pays. Le potentiel de la technologie pour améliorer la productivité du gouvernement est souligné dans l’ouvrage, bien que l’auteur suggère que le rôle plus fondamental de la production de rapports sur la production gouvernementale stimulera les réformes.

[Download full PDF](https://csls.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/IPM-Issue-26-6-ab-Iorwerth.pdf)
