- This article discusses the profession concerned with the study and application of economics; for the news journal published in London, see The Economist.
An economist is an individual who studies, develops, and applies theories and concepts from economics, and writes about economic policy. Within this field of study there are many sub-fields, ranging from the broad philosophical theories propounded by thinkers such as Adam Smith and Karl Marx to focused study of minutiae within specific markets, macroeconomics analysis, microeconomics analysis or financial analysis, involving analytical methods and tools such as econometrics, statistics, economics computational models, financial economics, financial mathematics and mathematical economics.
A professional working inside of one of many fields of economics or having an academic degree in this subject is an economist, and any person within any of these fields can properly claim to be one, although the broad range of matters coming under this designation makes it a practical impossibility for any individual to master all of them (this is the same as for almost other fields of knowledge such as medicine or engineering). Politicians often consult economists before enacting policy, and many statesmen have academic degrees in economics. Economists are also employed in banking, finance, accountancy, commerce, marketing, and business administration.
Most major universities have an economics faculty, school or department, where academic degrees are awarded in support of potential professional economists. However, many economists come from a background in business, sociology, or mathematics. In the United States, about 400 colleges and universities grant about 900 new Ph.D.s in economics each year.[citation needed]
Economics is a field of knowledge and an independent social science by its own right, born in the 18th century with Adam Smith, and becoming since then a discipline with an increasing and definitive importance in modern societies.
Famous economists
Founding fathers
People who are considered to be the first economists for various schools and currents of thought in economics:
People who have made important contributions to economics
The following are some people who have made important contributions to economics and are generally well known to people outside the profession:
Politicians, statesmen and world leaders
The following are some politicians, statesmen, central bankers, entrepreneurs, world leaders and other notable persons with a background in economics:
Sources
See also
