I think that's selection bias. There's loads of economists studying all sorts of things and the vast majority are nowhere near the halls of power. And a lot tha

I think that's selection bias. There's loads of economists studying all sorts of things and the vast majority are nowhere near the halls of power. And a lot that are listened to are selected for saying politically palatable things despite their lack of credibility. Probably the most influential economist of the last 50 years is Art Laffer and it's because he can draw nice charts validating tax cuts are a good idea. He has almost no academic credentials behind this.