According to its definition, why can macroeconomics be considered a science?

Macroeconomics can be considered a science primarily because it employs real-world data to test predictions and hypotheses about economic behavior and phenomena. This approach allows economists to analyze trends, relationships, and the effectiveness of various economic policies based on observable evidence. By utilizing statistical analysis and empirical research, macroeconomics seeks to validate theories and models against actual economic data, thereby enabling economists to draw conclusions that can inform future actions and policies. This scientific method of testing theories against reality is a cornerstone of establishing macroeconomics as a rigorous field of study.

The other options do not reflect the scientific nature of macroeconomics. While theoretical frameworks are essential, a reliance solely on theory without empirical validation would not align with the scientific method. Similarly, focusing exclusively on historical documentation neglects the dynamic nature of economies and fails to incorporate current data. Lastly, a focus solely on individual consumer behavior pertains more to microeconomics than macroeconomics, which examines the economy as a whole, including aggregate indicators like GDP, unemployment rates, and inflation. Thus, the strength of macroeconomics as a science lies in its integration of theory and empirical data to understand and predict economic outcomes.