Plenty of economists work as traders, in banks, and have money and success to show for it.  But they&#x27;re not making economic policy, nor creating theories in academic settings.  They&#x27;re just using complex models to predict things, they have no interest in creating policies.  In general, the economists who are successful are mostly ignored.<p>An example of an economist who is successful would be Jan Hatzius, Goldman Sach&#x27;s head economist.