Predicting the economy is a perilous and unforgiving task, one suited to magicians and storytellers. Economists need to learn new tricks and tell fresh stories to satisfy their audience

Only a handful of economists can truly claim to have played an integral role in shaping US monetary policy. These five figures changed the direction of economic theory across the world, with their works continuing to influence policy

In November 2008, Queen Elizabeth II asked why no one saw the financial crisis coming. In the years following, many economists have attempted to answer her question, but few have come up with more than mere excuses