Overton window
Mainstream idea range
The Overton window is the range of political ideas considered acceptable for mainstream discussion at a given time.
Ideas inside the window are debatable; those outside are dismissed as extreme or unthinkable.
The concept explains how views once radical can become mainstream—or vice versa—as the window shifts: Marijuana legalization has moved inside the Overton window.
Named for policy analyst Joseph Overton.
Formal argument on issues
- rhetoricArt of persuasive language
- narrativeAccount of events
- framingStructural or contextual shaping
- messagingSending written digital communications
persuasion · argumentation · propaganda · spin · talking points · soundbite · dogwhistle · reframing
Meeting minimum standards
- unacceptableNot meeting required standards
- mainstreamDominant cultural current
- fringeOutermost edge or margin
- extremeFurthest from moderate
moderate · radical · centrist · marginal · palatable · unthinkable · sensible · policy
Adopted principle of action
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- reformImprove by correcting faults
- bipartisanInvolving both major parties
- partisanBiased toward one side
electability · platform · campaign · voter · politician · pundit · lobbying · advocacy
Violating accepted boundaries
- forbiddenNot allowed
- unspeakableBeyond verbal expression
- controversialCausing public dispute
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
edgy · offensive · acceptable · norms · boundaries · censorship · self-censorship · backlash
Change in position
- driftGradual movement, no direction
- expansionIncrease in scope
- contractionReduction in size
- realignmentAdjusting relative positions
normalization · radicalization · mainstreaming · migration · progression · regression · transformation · evolution
debate
Formal argument on issues
messaging · persuasion · argumentation · propaganda · spin · talking points · soundbite · dogwhistle · reframing · agenda-setting
acceptable
Meeting minimum standards
- unacceptableNot meeting required standards
- mainstreamDominant cultural current
- fringeOutermost edge or margin
extreme · moderate · radical · centrist · marginal · palatable · unthinkable · sensible · policy · range
policy
Adopted principle of action
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- reformImprove by correcting faults
- bipartisanInvolving both major parties
partisan · electability · platform · campaign · voter · politician · pundit · lobbying · advocacy · activism
transgressive
Violating accepted boundaries
- forbiddenNot allowed
- unspeakableBeyond verbal expression
- controversialCausing public dispute
provocative · edgy · offensive · acceptable · norms · boundaries · censorship · self-censorship · backlash · outrage
movement
Change in position
- driftGradual movement, no direction
- expansionIncrease in scope
- contractionReduction in size
realignment · normalization · radicalization · mainstreaming · migration · progression · regression · transformation · evolution · change
- rhetoricrhetoric, persuasion, oratory, argumentation, debate
Overton windowthird rail
Electrified track conductor
lunatic fringe · beyond the pale · extremism · political extremism · thought crime
Overton windowtaboo
Cultural or social prohibition
unspeakable · verboten · thought crime · unmentionables · forbidden knowledge