What Is a Macro Theory?

By Staff WriterLast Updated December 05, 2023

In academics, macro theories attempt to explain the entirety of a subject in general or broad terms. This is in contrast to micro theories, which focus in detail on more specific elements of the discipline.

Macrosociology attempts to tie together all elements of the social world using general terms.

Macroeconomics similarly seeks to explain the workings of economies as a whole, with particular focus on universal phenomena such as fluctuations in income, inflation and prices of goods.

Micro and macro theories are also present in evolution. Microevolution describes relatively small genetic changes over a few decades in a specific population.

A macro theory may also be called a “grand theory.”