The “Overton Window of Political Possibilities” is a tool for illustrating the dynamic relationship between prevailing popular sentiment and public policy options. Originally developed by Mackinac Center for Public Policy analyst Joseph Overton to explain for conservative political activists how they might strategize to bring about school voucher reform, the Overton Window has since been taken up by analysts on the other end of the political spectrum, such as DailyKos blogger “thereisnospoon.”
Below I have adapted a visual representation of the Overton Window developed by Corrente blogger “shystee”, to elucidate the political dynamics involved in ongoing U.S. public deliberation regarding torture.
Overton window of political possibilities, adapted to U.S. torture policy deliberation, Fall 2009
In Overton Window analysis, the location of the window on the political spectrum demarcates the range of political possibilities available at any given time, although this is not a static relationship. The window’s size may contract or expand as the political situation evolves to permit a wider range of policy options, and the window’s position along the spectrum can also shift as events and arguments prompt revision of prevailing public sentiment.
Applied to the torture issue, the above figure challenges our panel to account for why the window occupies its current position and what might cause it to shift in size and/or location. For example, Sean’s analysis of the trend toward decentralized military doctrine may help explain the shift toward the “lax oversight” elements in the R1/R2 positions in the above figure. My examination of Jack Bauer’s cultural impact, as well as the Seitz interpretation of Holder’s reconciliation rhetoric, could shed light on why the window is gravitating toward the “qualified torture ban” and “cosmetic investigations” cluster.
Reconciliation Reform and Retribution 
Carlos Bernard, an actor on the show “24” has said that the former President, seeing him at a baseball game, said “All I can do is watch that show of yours.” Many of us had suspected this. So the influence could have been very direct.
Comment by John Lyne — October 28, 2009 @ 6:23 am |
I think it’s misleading to characterize this spectrum in terms of “left” and “right,” because it reinforces the faulty identification of those who believe in enforcing the laws on torture as the “extreme left.” Certainly, there are figures on the “right” who take that position, and some on the “left” who reject it. Could we explore just what the terms “right” and “left” have come to mean? I for one regret the passing of the term “liberal,” which in my view is not the same thing as “leftist.”
Comment by John Lyne — November 9, 2009 @ 1:29 am |