The Overton Window: How Trump's Presidency Has Shifted Political Norms

🔍The Overton Window is a concept in political science that describes the range of ideas the public is willing to accept.

💡By introducing extreme ideas, even if they are initially rejected, less radical ideas become more acceptable by comparison.

🏳️‍🌈Advocates for social change can use the Overton Window to make previously unthinkable ideas, like same-sex marriage, seem more normal.

📺News coverage under Trump has lowered expectations, so even seemingly minor actions are seen as successes.

🌐When Trump is no longer president, the media will have to readjust its perception of what is considered ‘normal.’

What is the Overton Window?

—The Overton Window is a concept in political science that describes the range of ideas the public is willing to accept.

How does the Overton Window work?

—By introducing extreme ideas, even if they are initially rejected, less radical ideas become more acceptable by comparison.

How can the Overton Window be used for social change?

—Advocates for social change can use the Overton Window to make previously unthinkable ideas seem more normal and gain acceptance.

What impact has Trump's presidency had on news coverage?

—News coverage under Trump has lowered expectations, so even seemingly minor actions are seen as successes.

What will happen to the media when Trump is no longer president?

—When Trump is no longer president, the media will have to readjust its perception of what is considered ‘normal’ and how it covers political events.

00:08The Overton Window is a concept in political science that describes the range of ideas the public is willing to accept.

01:12By introducing extreme ideas, even if they are initially rejected, less radical ideas become more acceptable by comparison.

01:31Advocates for social change can use the Overton Window to make previously unthinkable ideas seem more normal.

02:26News coverage under Trump has lowered expectations, so even seemingly minor actions are seen as successes.

06:09When Trump is no longer president, the media will have to readjust its perception of what is considered ‘normal.’