I can discuss them and my education in both subjects was and still is spotty and mostly self-taught... it's also a lot about paying attention to things, thinking about them and coming to a conclusion based on what you know and what you've learned. Really, if you are interested on it and spends time on these things, that's enough for you to be as good as any expert.
Why? You see, economics and politics are very wide subjects and often it's better to look at things as a changing whole instead of staring at trends and patterns - like juggling really, you focus too much in one of the balls and they'll all fall away, and we live in a world that punishes those who aren't specialized enough.
I hope it made some sense to you. Maybe that's just my opinion but I really think that's it.
