Peer EOTO: Overton Window

     For the second round of Each One Teach One presentations, I really enjoyed learning about terms that I was unfamiliar and familiar with. One presentation particularly about the Overton Window was of interest to me. 

       The Overton window is one of political possibility. Meaning, it is the range of political opinions or ideas the general public accepts. For example, a woman’s right to vote was once on the outskirts of the Overton window, but now it is firmly in the center of it. It seems to now be a shared ideology for all people indicating the shift in the Overton window. Though, this right once seemed radical. 

    The Overton window can also be used as a tool for politicians. The politician would investigate where their particular policy falls in the Overton window. They can then use this knowledge to best campaign for their ideas. They can obtain this information mainly through polling.  It has also been called the window of discourse. 

    The term was coined by American political Analyst Joseph P. Overton.  He believed that whether political opinions are viable depends on if they fall within the window, not the politician’s own preferences. Overton passed away before the theory was fully developed, but his colleague Joseph Lehman developed it further. He believes that it is a window of policies politicians can mention without seeming too radical or extreme. In order to shift the window, large social movements must take place. Politicians themselves are unable to shift the Overton window. They must learn where the window is and shift their opinions to match it.

   The spectrum of the window moves from more to less freedom and is divided into six degrees of ideas. These include unthinkable, radical, acceptable, sensible, popular, and policy. In its most basic form, it explains how ideas gain and lose popularity. 

    The Overton window is a concept that does not seem to directly impact us but is foundational to how political opinions flow. I think to be an informed voter this term is an important term to be aware of. It helps explain why some policies get made and why others are unable to ‘catch on.’  The Overton window has been foundational in political happenings like that of Donald Trump’s presidency and Brexit. These ideologies were able to make change because they were made to be in the Overton window. 

    Those of different generations having an understanding gap is a great example of the Overton window. Many of these generations have a wide range of conflicting beliefs and opinions. Current events are often challenging our beliefs and therefore shifting the Overton window.