A few days ago, I posted a blog called “Groupthink and Conformity”. This one carries on from the views I expressed in that and adds to them in terms of thinking outside the norm.
This is an area which I believe to be of vital importance to all decision-makers at all levels and in all walks of life but sadly not often implemented.
Allow me to introduce you to the Overton Window and what this means, particularly to those in the political eye since it is well-documented that politicians rarely if ever support concepts which may reduce their chances of re-election irrespective of any “public good”.
The creator, Joseph P. Overton, considered that at any given moment the ‘window’ included a range of policies considered to be politically acceptable within a given climate of public opinion. When the ‘window’ moves or expands, proponents of policies are educating or persuading the general public towards their policies. Graphically:
To quote from Anthony Trollope “Phineas Finn”:
“Many who regarded legislation on the subject as unthinkable will now consider it only as dangerous or possibly not more than difficult. And so in time it will be looked upon as among those things that are possible, then as probable and eventually in the range of those measures the country requires as being absolutely necessary. That is the way public opinion is made. The first step was made long ago by men who were looked upon as revolutionaries – almost traitors – because they took it. But it is a great thing to take any step that leads us onwards.”
Food for thought, I think….
Until next time (still opening and moving windows),
Peripatetic Scribe
Very interesting! I hope more such windows are going to open in Croatia in the forthcoming future! Yet, one has to be very careful when opening them, really convinced of the air that is going to come out. In that case, one will certainly find the most appropriate way to do it in a particular moment and social climate.
ReplyDeleteLucana
Thanks, Lucana. I think this process has to start from an individual level and whilst it may make him/her stand out from the crowd, it's a very useful exercise. P.S.
ReplyDeleteThis is gold dust, P.S. I can use this to open the minds of so many young people, to get them to really think, to understand the value in broadness of mind, to become a ROUNDED individual. Thanks a million.
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous and thanks. Opening young minds is a prerequisite in my opinion; this is one of the major problems today - it's easier to accept the status quo than to think and this has to be changed for the future. P.S.
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