The Overton Window

In todays chaotic political climate it can be difficult for individuals to agree on issues or compromise to better society. This has mostly been the result of a shift in political ideology and the distancing between two distinct parties. Political affiliation has become less about your socioeconomic status, race, geographic location, sexuality, age, and gender and more about whether you are a Republican or Democrat. In order to describe this shift, we can use a political theory named the Overton Window, also known as the Overton Window of Political Possibilities. The Overton Window refers to the range of policies that the public is willing to accept. The idea is that policy's that make sense will fall inside the window, while those that are outside the box or radical will fall outside the window. This is depicted in the graphic below which shows a baseline of how policies are distributed along the range.

The Overton Window was developed in the mid 1990's by a man named Joseph Overton, who worked as a political analyst for a political think tank known as the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Overton observed that politicians selected their policy's based on what the public will support and thus what will keep them in office. This political theory created a framework for why some ideas can gain support while others are determined to be radical or unthinkable. Showing that it all depends on the people's view and overarching opinion's on policy. 

To describe a little more of what the Overton Window is, we can use a child's bed time as a very simple and digestible example. Using the window from the first diagram as a baseline we can understand that having a bedtime of 4pm or 5pm would seem unthinkable and radical. And to the same point, a child having no bedtime at all would be radical on the other side of the spectrum. However, having a bedtime of 8pm or 9pm would make much more sense. Thus making it more sensible, popular, and acceptable. Meaning it would fall within the Overton Window, while 4pm/5pm, and no bedtime would fall outside the range. 

Two recent examples of Overton Windows at play and shifting would be remote/hybrid work and the legalizing of marijuana. We can see how in the past these ideas would have been outside the Overton Window and unthinkable because of the public view. Everyone believed that marijuana was too dangerous and remote work was ineffective. However as times change and the publics opinion changes we see a shift of the window. Politicians begin to introduce these changes and they slowly gain support until ultimately being implemented into society. 

So, how and why does a shift occur in an Overton Window? Well, there are six steps necessary for a successful shift in the window. These steps are the creation of a new idea, making the public aware, reframing the narrative, public acceptance, political implementation, and a feedback loop. Firstly there must be an idea or policy that is being introduced to the public that would shift the window in one direction or the other. Secondly the public must be made aware of the issue. Thirdly the issue must be reframed to seem like a good alternative and beneficial to society. Fourthly the public must accept this idea or policy over time in order for the entire Overton Window to shift. Fifthly it must be implemented by government officials in order to become actual public policy. Finally, there must be a feedback loop in which it is implemented into society and is proven to benefit that society. Another major factor of Overton shifts would include influential figures, cultural moments, and key events. These are all factors that can have a significant impact on an Overton Window and the public's view on certain policies. Some examples of these would be political activists such as MLK Jr, cultural moments such as the Civil Rights Act, and key events such as the "I Have a Dream" speech. While all these steps are necessary for an Overton Window. It is common that an Overton Window can shift for some and not for others. While some may accept an idea as reasonable and good policy others may still dismiss it entirely. This is where we see the major divide in todays society. 

The impact that the Overton Window has on society is that it helps shape public policy. Considering that public policy is based on the publics viewpoint means that the Overton Window has a direct connection to which policies are accepted and passed into law. This also means that an expansion or change in the Overton Window can occur too fast. Usually a result of political activist or figures ambition. Thus throwing off the time line of societal acceptance and cultural change. Showing that change often happens gradually as unthinkable ideas become acceptable over time. The final impact of the Overton Window is that it raises questions about the manipulation of public opinion to move the window in a particular direction. Usually using methods such as propaganda or misinformation. 

All these points about the Overton Window come together to form a political theory that has stayed extremely relevant since its inception. Mostly because of how logically it explain's our overall public policy and viewpoint on societal change. We see this as the two groups in the United States continue to shift in opposite directions on a spectrum. Driving the country and people farther and farther from working together and benefiting society. However with continued discussion and compromise, the political Overton Window can be restored to its healthy state and allow for citizens around the country to responsibly debate public policy.