Here's a few: - the "credibility revolution" in econometrics, with its laser focus on good research design to uncover causality - the rise of randomized contr

Here's a few: - the "credibility revolution" in econometrics, with its laser focus on good research design to uncover causality - the rise of randomized controlled trials in development economics, discovering "what works" to help the poor - behavioural economics, a bit long in the tooth now, but still with enough insights to support a lot of government Nudge Units - Thomas Piketty and his coauthors' long work at building a sound evidence basis on inequality - auction theory, which helped make the UK government several billion GBP in designing spectrum auctions - new work bringing rigour to economic history, and often giving precise answers to questions like the effect of Protestantism on economic development None of these are perfect but all are interesting. I haven't mentioned macro because I don't know enough to talk about it.