Hello friends steemians "The Overton window" is a political theory that describes how the perception of public opinion can be changed so that ideas that were previously considered preposterous are accepted in the long term.

                                   Manipulating 

According to this theory, not even the taboo subjects would be free of their effects, so that the general assessment that society has on matters such as incest, pederasty or cannibalism could radically change. For this, it is not necessary to brainwash or implement a dictatorial regime, but the development of a series of advanced techniques whose implementation would go unnoticed by society. Let's deepen.

Origins of the concept

This phenomenon was studied by Joseph Overton, who observed that for each area of public management only a narrow range of potential policies are considered acceptable. This range does not change when ideas change among politicians, but are chosen by society in general.

Joseph Overton developed a vertical model of policies ranging from "the freest" at the top of the spectrum to "the least free" at the bottom. This is related to government intervention, in which acceptable policies are framed in a window that can move within this axis, expanding or decreasing.

                         Conversing with a crowd with their ideology

The stages of the Overton window

In principle, it seems impossible that society can accept some of the discussed taboos. However, Overton's window theory argues that this can happen. To see what the different stages of the Overton window consist of, we will focus on a specific taboo, for example, cannibalism.

Stage 1: from the unthinkable to the radical

In the first stage, cannibalism is below the lowest level of acceptance of the Overton window. The society considers it a proper practice of immoral or sociopaths. This idea is considered disgusting and alien to all morality. At this point, the window is closed and does not move.

To begin with the change of opinion, the idea is transferred to the scientific field, since for scientists there should not be taboo subjects. Thus, the intellectual community would analyze the traditions and rituals of some tribes, while creating a radical group of cannibals that are warned by the media.

Stage 2: from the radical to the acceptable

After stage 1, the idea has gone from being unthinkable to being discussed. In the second stage, the idea is accepted. With the conclusions of the scientists, those who refuse to acquire knowledge about the subject will be considered intransigent.

People who resist will start to be seen as fanatics who oppose science. The intolerant are condemned publicly as the idea loses its negative connotations, even changing the name of cannibalism by anthropophagy or anthropophagy. Little by little, the media would make eating human flesh acceptable and respectable.

Stage 3: from the acceptable to the sensible

Getting the consumption of human flesh to become a common right, could go from an idea in principle unacceptable to something sensible. Meanwhile, those who continue to oppose the idea will continue to be criticized. These people would be considered radicals who are against a fundamental right.

On the other hand, the scientific community and the media would insist that human history is replete with cases of cannibalism, without this being strange for those ancient societies.

Stage 4: from the sensible to the popular

In these moments, cannibalism becomes a favorite topic. The idea begins to be shown in movies, in television series and in any other method of entertainment as something positive. At the same time, historical figures that have been related to these practices are praised. The phenomenon is increasingly multitudinous, and continues to reinforce its positive image.

 

           political advertising greatly influences the masses

Stage 5: from the popular to the political

Finally, the Overton window, closed at the beginning, has opened wide. In this last stage the legislative machinery that will legalize the phenomenon begins to be prepared. The supporters of cannibalism are consolidated in politics and begin to seek more power and representation.

Thus, an idea that in principle was unthinkable and immoral in all its aspects, has come to be established in the collective consciousness as a right through a theory that can change the public perception of any idea, however crazy it may be.

REFERENCE:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_P._Overton

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overton_window

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