In any modern society, measurements are taken of all sorts of things, such as our physical condition, measured through our blood pressure, weight, height, cardio capacity and so on; as well as all sorts of measurements done in regards to economic activity and prosperity, and thereby how we measure society has a lot to do with what those measurements are telling us, good or bad.
Of course, not everything of value can be measured, because we cannot measure how much, for example, we respect or love someone, but still in an indirect manner we can, based on our behavior, how we relate to the other, and the things that we do with one another, are all very helpful in demonstrating how much we care about each other.
Nevertheless, from a societal standpoint, the main reason why we take the time to measure activities and things that we are doing, is to get a good idea as to whether or not, society as a whole, is progressing or whether it is regressing, which thereupon lets those in authority and influence to know what items we need to attend to more diligently, so as to bring those measurements up to par.
So too, while it is possible to keep track of just about anything that lends itself to being monitored, not everything is deserving of such attention, because the resources of any nation has limitations due to the instruments so being utilized, monies allocated to such, along with the fact that priorities need to be set, so that the most important areas of interest are being kept tracked of, as opposed to that which is trivial or of little importance.
Therefore, when we look at society, and the governments that run such societies, we should pay careful attention to what is or is not being measured, because what is being measured is that which society feels is of most value, and when that seems to be out of sorts, it is up to the general public, along with its representatives, to make the changes so necessary so that we address those particular areas that have been monitored and measured, but for whatever reason are basically being marginalized or not robustly dealt with, so that they are prioritized appropriately, permitting therefore an improved agenda, in which improvements or adjustments can thereby be made to concentrate on correcting or amending those important things.
Indeed, the very point of measuring this or that within societies should not be solely out of curiosity, but rather it should be to provide the data so necessary to be properly examined, and in those instances in which the results are unsatisfactory, to thereby come up with a workable solution that will get those results to move in the direction so desired and needed, because that which we measure, is of interest to us, and the objective of taking those measurements, is not only find out where we currently are at, but also where we desire to go.