Two theories may have merged and be exemplified in Augusta. Certainly, they are in America at large, and Augusta being a subset is certainly not immune. In fact Augusta may be the epitome of the merger. The two theories are 1) The Overton Window and 2) The Broken Windows Theory.
Maybe merged is the wrong word as it indicates two becoming as one, as in The Matrix Mr. Smith would morph into another body. Converged may be a better term meaning the two theories were separate until they reached a point of intersection and became one. Or maybe they are running concurrently, the effect of each theory can be observed so closely together they appear as if only one. The final determination of the proper verb rests upon the reader. It might be they all fit at one point or another.
I will offer broad definitions and examples yet expect the reader to open their minds to others, whether local or national. You might find this exercise fruitful.
The Overton Window Theory
The Overton Window (the first of the two) is a theory generally reserved for political ideas and ideals yet, it’s application can support a wide variety of situations for analysis.
To explain the theory, I hope not to bore, imagine a window defining a range of acceptability by a general population. Things in the middle are generally accepted by a majority. Things to the right are more appealing to a conservative mind, things on the left desirable to the more liberal. A shift to the left of the window not only adds more liberal ideas to the left, it also moves the middle out of the middle and moves ideas on the right outside of the window. In this process, the middle has now been moved more left and becomes those things now generally accepted by the majority.
To illustrate the Overton Window theory visually, consider the simple practice of piercings. Maybe not the best example, but may create an image towards understanding. Thinking back 20 years, piercings (Visible) were reserved for women’s and the occasional men’s earlobes.Twenty years ago, these piercings were either middle of the window of acceptability or left of center for men. Now, look at the shift in the Overton Window, simply as it relates to piercings in such a short time frame. Today, ear piercings, nose piercings, ear lobe gauging, lip rings, eyebrow rings….all have moved to center or left-center of the Overton Window. In this simple example, the Overton Window has shifted radically to the left.
For this article, and the consideration of theory merging, apply the same thought process to road conditions (Infrastructure), taxation, elected official’s integrity, our City’s condition, downtown blight, abandoned houses, etc… Things in the range of acceptability today were once intolerable and downright a disgrace years ago due to the shift in Augusta’s Overton Window. The same application can be made nationally as we see cities burned, policemen murdered, graffiti covered structures and homeless defecating in streets of America. Before you envision me clutching my pearls and fanning to keep from swooning, This is simple observation of the obvious.
Now consider Overton’s premise that politicians (and people) are inclined to act upon those matters seen in the middle of the Overton Window of acceptability. Generally speaking locally, a higher level of bad road conditions, higher taxation, lower politician integrity and worsened city condition has now moved into the spectrum of acceptability.
Any astute observation will conclude The Overton Window has been moving left most of my life, both locally, Nationally and Globally.
Gosh, I hope I have adequately explained and illustrated this because it is key to the entire concept.
The Broken Window Theory
A theory (the second of the two) introduced in a 1982 article by conservative think tanks social scientists James Q. Wilson and George L. Kelling, the broken windows theory states that visible signs of crime, antisocial behavior and civil disorder create an urban environment that encourages further crime and disorder, including serious crimes.[1] The theory suggests that policing methods that target minor crimes, such as vandalism, loitering, public drinking and fare evasion, help to create an atmosphere of order and lawfulness. (Credit Wikipedia.org).
This theory can also be expanded to broader applications. Bad roads left unrepaired may state that bad roads are acceptable, leading to less repair of potholes, less repaving and more bad roads. Higher taxation left unchallenged indicates higher taxes are acceptable and leads to more tax increases. We could go on with examples, but doing so may stifle your imagination to insert whatever your own mind sees as resulting from an unrepaired “broken window.” Hopefully you are getting the picture.
And the two shall become one
Now to the merger of the two. Maybe there is a causativerelationship. If so, you may ask “which came first the chicken or the egg.” That is a simple one as God created the Chicken, then the chicken laid the egg.
Is it possible the Broken Window effect, because of societal non-action, moved the Overton Window through lack of political processes? Or did the move to the left of the Overton Window through lack of political processes bring about the Broken Window out of societal hopelessness? Whichever, it must be agreed the two are as intertwined as hair braids and equally difficult to comb or sort apart.
Ok, how are you going to fix this?
I was raised to bring a solution when bringing a problem. And I feel inadequate sometimes pointing out problems without having actionable solutions. I have always heard “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” Just sometimes you must feel like me, I have no candle nor matches. And maybe this is a rather deep analysis as to why the gate was left open after the entire herd has escaped, making the point rather pointless.
But, here we are and here we will remain without a fix, a solution, a new way of thinking.
So let’s start here – let’s fix the broken window. This means different things in different situations and different areas. Maybe it means picking up the litter in front of your home. Might be that grass needs cutting rather than wait on government to do it. Could be writing down license plate numbers of cars visiting a known drug house and dropping a dime (hoping folks still know what that means). In essence, if we all light what candles we can reach…..It just might make a difference.
Then maybe our collective efforts may instill pride or motivate others to do the same. Positive action is contagious and infects others. Next thing we know, maybe our elected officials may catch the bug.
And if two theories can merge leading in one direction, why not believe they can shift in the other direction together. As the “broken windows” are repaired perhaps the Overton Window can be dragged in the correct direction to move nice roads, clean streets, mowed right of ways into the middle.
We know it can be done cause it happens every year during a little golf tournament.
