Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Comment
Torsten Bell

Economists like competition but not when it comes to their own field of research

US economist and Harvard professor Claudia Goldin, winner of the 2023 Nobel prize in economics, talks to the press at Harvard University.
US economist and Harvard professor Claudia Goldin, winner of the 2023 Nobel prize in economics. Photograph: Lauren Owens Lambert/AFP/Getty Images

Economists are pro-competition, warning against concentrated markets – dominated by a few large firms that face too little pressure to keep prices down or quality up.

But where is concentration high and increasing? In economics itself, according to fascinatingnew research by US and Chinese academics. They gathered data on the top researchers (those receiving the most prestigious awards –, such as Nobel prizes) across different scientific fields, spanning engineering, natural and social sciences.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.