The overton window, developed by Joseph P. Overton (a member of conservative think tanks) in the 1990s, refers to all the ideas considered acceptable in public opinion at some point. This « window » delimit what can be openly discussed in a society, ranging from unthinkable to politically viable. Ideas can evolve over a spectrum of « Inconceivable » to « public policy », passing through « radical », « Acceptable », « sense » and « popular ». This concept is particularly relevant in politics and the media, as it illustrates how ideas once considered extreme can gradually become mainstream, or vice versa. In 2025, the understanding of the Overton window is crucial to analyzing the evolution of public debates and societal norms.
