overtonene

Overton's Window is a concept in politics and social change that refers to the range of ideas and policies considered acceptable by a society or a particular group within a society. It is named after Joseph P. Overton, a political theorist who used the term to describe the socially acceptable limits within which change can occur.

The term is often used to describe the influence of public opinion, media, and other external factors on the range of ideas that are considered reasonable or acceptable. Overton argued that politicians and policymakers are often limited by the Overton Window, and that they must keep their ideas within the accepted parameters of what is considered reasonable by the majority of people.

According to Overton, there are four zones within the Overton Window:

1. The most extreme left-wing and right-wing positions are excluded from consideration, and are rejected by the majority of people.

2. The ideas that are considered radical, but still outside of the mainstream are the next zone, and these ideas are often rejected or ridiculed by the public.

3. The Zone of Partial Acceptance is where ideas are considered marginally acceptable by the public, but are rarely acted upon.

4. The Zone of Acceptance is the center of the Overton Window, where ideas are considered reasonable and are often implemented by policymakers.

The concept of Overton's Window has been used to explain the constraints on social and political change, as well as the idea that change must occur gradually through the Broadening of the Overton Window, through education and persuasion.