Media reports, quoting exponents of the dismal science, often refer to them. But just what is a "leading economist"?
Economists, of course, can never rest until they empirically "prove" whatever is bothering them. True to form a new academic paper, written by two of Ireland's (wait for it, now) leading economists, attempts to come up with a method of deciding who really qualifies.
Dr Alan Barrett of the Economic and Social Research Institute and Dr Brian Lucey of the School of Business Studies, Trinity College, based their research - which will be published shortly in the Economic and Social Review - on the number of papers published in academic journals going back to 1970. Papers published in more prestigious journals are given more weight in their calculations.
Naturally, this approach rules out non-academic economists, such as those working for banks and stockbroking companies, many of whom have produced valuable and timely research on current economic issues.
The authors argue, however, that the analysis based on academic literature shows "who in Ireland has contributed most over the last 30 years to producing new ideas and insights in economics".
At number one in the top 10 is Prof Peter Neary of UCD, who is a leading (sorry) international authority on the economics of international trade. Ranked number two was Prof Patrick Honohan of the World Bank and formerly of the ESRI and the Central Bank. His specialist field is currently monetary and financial sector policy.
UCD has three staff members in the top 10, both the ESRI and TCD have two, while Prof Vani Borooah of the University of Ulster, Jordanstown, and Prof Paul Teague of Queen's University were the highest ranking from the North. Prof Frances Ruane from TCD is the only woman to appear in the top 10.
Looking at younger economists, the paper shows that Prof Philip Lane and Prof Kevin O'Rourke, both of TCD, are two of the more prolific newer arrivals who started to publish in the 1990s.
Now the challenge goes out to stockbroking economists to come up with an "on the other hand" rival classification. Anyone for a review of currency forecasts?
