THE OVERTON WINDOW

My son reminded me of this concept a few weeks ago. Even though the theory is as flawed as most human ideological constructs, I believe it, along with other factors I’ve written about previously, at least partially explains the miserable state of American politics today.

DEFINITION: “The Overton Window is a model for understanding how ideas in society change over time and influence politics. The core concept is that politicians are limited in what policy ideas they can support — they generally only pursue policies that are widely accepted throughout society as legitimate policy options. These policies lie inside the Overton Window. Other policy ideas exist, but politicians risk losing popular support if they champion these ideas. These policies lie outside the Overton Window.” It is named for Joseph Overton, the senior vice president of a libertarian think tank in Michigan during the 1990’s.

IN A NUTSHELL: Historically there was a set of ideas a majority of Americans supported, and those ideas fell within The Overton Window. Politicians were afraid to promote ideas that did not fit within that window because their foremost concern is winning the next election.

Importantly, The Overton Window is not stagnant because it shifts, sometimes rapidly and sometimes not.

• Roosevelt’s New Deal programs expanding the role of the federal government had broad public support, but only because of circumstances; people were suffering from the Great Depression. This then became part of The Overton Window although conservatives have criticized it since the 1930’s.

• Uncle Sam did not address the dangers of tobacco use until the will of the majority of voters became more powerful than the tobacco lobby. That issue became part of the Overton Window.

• Integrating schools did not take place until a majority of the voters, mostly Northerners, supported it.

• Same sex marriage was not made legal until 2015. Interestingly, it was only three years earlier that a majority of Americans first supported such unions. Today almost 70% support same-sex marriage. Once again, part of the Window.

As society evolves so does the Window, sometimes because society becomes more aware of facts and circumstances and other times because overly vocal politicians convince a segment of society that some harm will befall them if they don’t accept a shift in the Window. Radical ideas often win the hearts and minds of a portion of society, so the Window shifts. More on that below.

It seems to me that The Overton Window has withered or disappeared because the number of issues on which Americans agree has gradually declined, and the vocal minority offers support for “leaders” who promote radical ideas. Further, it appears those on the far right and far left are successfully shifting the Window so that it is essentially meaningless. Bernie Sanders promoting democratic socialism when most Americans oppose it is an example. Those promoting Christian nationalism in spite of public opposition is another.

IF The Overton Window still guided public policy we would have:

• A larger federal role in providing healthcare because about 62% of Americans favor it.

• Congress would address the fact that powerful interest groups and major campaign donors control much of Americans politics because 85% believe the cost of campaigns keeps good candidates from running for office, 81% believe members of Congress promote their own economic interests over those of the public, and 80% believe major campaign donors have too much influence. In fact, more than 70% of our fellow citizens (including yours truly) believe Congress cares much less what voters want and more about the wishes of major donors, corporations, and powerful lobby groups.

• Abortion rights would be protected since 63% of Americans believe they should be.

• Politicians would pay attention to the citizens’ wishes. A few weeks ago I wrote about the Missouri and other legislatures that reverse voters’ wishes expressed through referenda. They just don’t care what we think or want.

• Congress would call a Constitutional Convention because 56% of Americans say our system needs major structural change.

• Congress would have voted against President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” (I’ll write about it later) because 55% oppose it and 79% are concerned about its cuts to Medicaid.

• The Trump Administration and Congress would be more sensitive regarding immigration because a majority opposes the elimination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and also oppose having ICE raid workplaces where people with legal status are employed. A strong majority also opposes the suspension of asylum applications.

Why has The Overton Window become largely meaningless? In my opinion (for what it’s worth) it is because political “leaders” and pundits present false or misleading information, and that false information shapes the public’s views. Further, the increasing polarization of society, much of which results from the dissemination of false information, may make the Window meaningless because there are now so few issues on which society agrees.

As usual, the solution is education, but it appears public education is under attack as well. Accurate historical accounts are being removed from textbooks because that information contradicts a narrative supported by some, students in some schools are no longer required to study “civics”, school vouchers are being pitched as a solution even though they would lead to increased segregation, dog whistle issues such as “woke curriculums” in schools are being promoted, and much more.

Consequently, the only real solutions are electing and appointing honest governing officials at all levels, paying attention only to news sources that report accurately, and having voters stop believing the B.S. and start paying attention.

I hope you are more optimistic than am I.

Thanks for following along.

David

PS: Three reasons I haven’t written much lately:

1. I’m sickened by the callous lack of compassion for fellow humans exhibited by the current administration and its sycophants, and I know I cannot discuss both sides objectively.

2. I’m not sure how much I can contribute to the political discourse that isn’t being offered by other political observers.

3. I’ve been dealing with several health issues since December, and those are taking most of my mental energy. Don’t worry…I’ll be fine. Getting older isn’t for the faint of heart.

I’ll write more frequently when I regain my focus.

PPS: This is a rare weekend post because my wife and I are leaving for vacation tomorrow, and I don’t want to take my computer.