John Cowperthwaite: An Underappreciated Champion of Economic Development? John Cowperthwaite is a name that is not widely known, but his contributions to economic development are significant. Cowperthwaite was a British civil servant who served as the Financial Secretary of Hong Kong from 1961 to 1971. During his tenure, he implemented policies that helped transform Hong Kong from a poor British colony into one of the world's most prosperous economies. Cowperthwaite's approach to economic development was based on the principles of free-market capitalism. He believed that government intervention in the economy was often counterproductive and that the best way to promote economic growth was to allow the market to operate freely. He was a staunch advocate of low taxes, minimal regulation, and free trade. One of Cowperthwaite's most significant contributions to Hong Kong's economic development was his refusal to collect economic data. He believed that collecting data would lead to government intervention in the economy, which would stifle growth. Instead, he allowed the market to operate freely, and Hong Kong's economy flourished. Cowperthwaite's policies helped create a business-friendly environment in Hong Kong that attracted foreign investment and encouraged entrepreneurship. He also implemented policies that promoted education and training, which helped create a skilled workforce that was essential to Hong Kong's economic success. Despite his contributions to economic development, Cowperthwaite is not widely known outside of Hong Kong. His approach to economic development is often overshadowed by the more interventionist policies of other economists, such as John Maynard Keynes. However, Cowperthwaite's approach to economic development is still relevant today. Many countries around the world are struggling to promote economic growth, and Cowperthwaite's policies offer a blueprint for success. By promoting free-market capitalism, low taxes, minimal regulation, and free trade, countries can create a business-friendly environment that encourages investment and entrepreneurship. In conclusion, John Cowperthwaite was an underappreciated champion of economic development. His policies helped transform Hong Kong from a poor British colony into one of the world's most prosperous economies. His approach to economic development, based on the principles of free-market capitalism, is still relevant today and offers a blueprint for success for countries around the world.