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This seems like another description of the overton window. The Overton window, also known as the window of discourse, is the range of ideas tolerated in public
by 40acres 8y ago
This seems like another description of the overton window.
The Overton window, also known as the window of discourse, is the range of ideas tolerated in public discourse. The term is derived from its originator, Joseph P. Overton, a former vice president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, who, in his description of his window, claimed that an idea's political viability depends mainly on whether it falls within the window, rather than on politicians' individual preferences.
The overton window is constantly shifting, and in regards to American politics it seems like it's shifting faster than ever. In the 90s Don't Ask Don't Tell was seen as a law that championed the rights of homosexuals in the military, today such a law would be viewed as archaic. The timeline from when the first state legalized gay marriage to the supreme court decision is also very short in compared to other movements (abolishment of slavery, womens rights, etc.)
- dragonwriter 8y ago> In the 90s Don't Ask Don't Tell was seen as a law that championed the rights of homosexuals in the military No, it wasn't. It was, when it was announced, seen as a betrayal of the gay community by the Clinton Administration. At any rate, you are looking at policy changes, not dialogue changes, that tells you about something moving, but not the Overton Window, which need not move in the same direction as policy (though one would expect a sudden backlash if they moved in different directions long enough, but then that's not inconsistent with observations, either.)