David Charles Corbett would have been turning 95 on 25 July, 2020. Instead, he died nearly 10 years ago on 31 July 2010 just days after his 85th birthday. His family miss him still and we often recall times with him and the knowledge, wit and wisdom he shared. Good food and wine too, of course.
His writing about many things rings true today. As a tribute to his thinking, this post contains links to two pieces. The first he titled “Many Reasons Why” and it tells of his choice of career, what drove him to move around, to develop certain courses of study about politics and public sector management and why he wrote books. The second is called “Privatisation“. At this weird time in July 2020 when many in the western world are busy looking for a new narrative about what should be the role of Government, it is good to reread this old piece. The idea of debt and deficit are being redefined as we watch. What government intervention in markets like the airlines might we see this decade? Meanwhile, we watch mainly in horror, as the US heads into its November race for President. I can almost hear the groan that dad might have made at the prospects.
David Corbett at 83 years of age in 2009
Corbett Family - view from Australia 