Theory of Knowledge - Course Companion for Students Marija Uzunova Dang Arvin Singh Uzunov Dang

II. Perspectives
“Overton window” is a term used to
The
the range of ideas tolerated within
describe
discourse and, therefore, the range of
public
and politically acceptable policies in
socially
government. Policies outside of this
democratic
will appear too extreme—“unthinkable”
range
“radical”—to be supported by politicians.
or
window is shaped by the climate of public
The
and so the media can play a very large
opinion,
Note that the window does not necessarily
role.
near the middle of the political spectrum.
sit
politicians, social commentators and
Skillful
in the public sphere can intentionally
activists
or expand the window through reason
shift
rhetoric. Some may deliberately promote
and
ideas so that slightly less extreme
extreme
which were previously outside the
ideas,
become more widely accepted by
window,
Think tanks, for example, need
comparison.
promote particular policies but can rather
not
out of the Overton window
Looking
How do we know where the Overton
1.
Would you expect two strangers to agree
2.
what is inside the window? Why or
about
Are there some ideas, policies or issues that
3.
not be politicized? If so, how would
should
Compare the relative power of the following
4.
to shift the window: social
stakeholders
organizations, cinema, search engines,
media
and television media; teachers,
print
5. Recall an example of the window shifting.
was previously unacceptable,
What
is now policy, and vice versa?
but
make previously unacceptable policies more
to
This tactic is often used by activist
palatable.
is worth noting that the Overton window is
It
necessarily a passive construct but rather
not
assertive and dynamic one—a tool to shape
an
shift political possibilities. Its point is that
and
“window is there for the shifting”, and thus
the
naturalizes ideas and policies as inherently
it
Some observers lament this sort of
political.
arguing for instance that climate justice
thing,
women’s rights should not be politicized,
and
these issues “speak for themselves”; we
as
next section explores echo chambers
The
bubbles, or how the internet may
andfilter
contributing to increased polarization
be
pluralism, by allowing
andreduced
engage only with content they
individualsto
with. agree
Should we suspend new or radical ideas
6.
judgment, for a grace period, until
from
people have had a chance to consider
more
them?
To what extent do you agree that an
7.
of the Overton window is a sign
expansion
To what extent is it unethical for politicians
8.
thought leaders to support ideas
and
policies that they do not believe in,
and
the goal of expanding or shifting the
with
If you had the influence, what ideas would
9.
bring into the Overton window?
you
To what extent has the internet, through
10.
media and online discussion
social
changed the nature of public
groups,
and the Overton window?
discourse
2
groups too.
interrogate that perspective in I.1.
focus on shifting the window of possibilities,
For discussion
window is?
why not?
of progress?
we achieve that?
window of public discourse?
journalists, influencers and politicians.
(a)
(b)
What may have caused this?
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