The “FAZ Economists Ranking”, which considers not only economists’ research output but also their political and public influence, shows that there are very few economists currently doing research that has been taken up widely in the research community, in the media and by policy makers....

Most German economists show strong patterns of professional specialisation. In their work, they either focus on basic research or on policy consultancy. The evidence provided by Haucap und Mödl has been used to question work incentives in academia. The suggestion to change work incentives,...