theory - a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena; "theories can incorporate facts and laws and tested hypotheses"; "true in fact and theory"

consumerism - the theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically beneficial

Keynesianism - the economic theories of John Maynard Keynes who advocated government monetary and fiscal programs intended to stimulate business activity and increase employment

liberalism - an economic theory advocating free competition and a self-regulating market and the gold standard

Malthusian theory, Malthusianism - Malthus' theory that population increase would outpace increases in the means of subsistence

monetarism - an economic theory holding that variations in unemployment and the rate of inflation are usually caused by changes in the supply of money

economic science, economics, political economy - the branch of social science that deals with the production and distribution and consumption of goods and services and their management

economic science, economics, political economy - the branch of social science that deals with the production and distribution and consumption of goods and services and their management