Principles and Practicality

In the mid-1990s, Joe Overton identified a political concept that became known as the Overton Window. The website for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, where Overton was a senior vice president, describes the concept:

Joseph Overton observed that in a given public policy area, such as education, only a relatively narrow range of potential policies will be considered politically acceptable. This “window” of politically acceptable options is primarily defined not by what politicians prefer, but rather by what they believe they can support and still win re-election. In general, then, the window shifts to include different policy options not when ideas change among politicians, but when ideas change in the society that elects them.

In other words, politicians will support ideas that they think are being “practical”—what they believe will get them elected—rather than what is principled.

Certainly, a politician will not be elected if he advocates ideas diametrically opposed to his constituents. Rand Paul would not stand a chance in San Francisco. And Nancy Pelosi wouldn’t stand a chance in Kentucky. After all, politicians are “public servants.” They are elected to represent the ideas and policies of their constituents. But does this mean that they should abandon principles?

The more cynical among us might claim that politicians have no principles, that they will do anything to attain and retain political power. They will say one thing to get elected, and then, when in office, support policies very different from what they advocated during the campaign. They abandon the principles they advocated during the campaign because they believe that it is “practical” to do so.

For example, a politician may claim that he supports property rights because many of his constituents are threatened by eminent domain. But when an issue arises that does not impact his constituents, he may support the use of eminent domain.

In truth, this means that they really don’t support the principle. The principle is an empty slogan that wins votes in some cases and becomes a hindrance in others.

The fact that voters tolerate such things is an example of the Overton Window. Being highly principled is not an idea that many voters consider politically acceptable. Voters want their representatives to be “practical,” to be flexible, to “get things done.” And that often means abandoning principles.

Principles are the means by which we judge the long-term consequences of a policy or action. Principles allow us to determine whether a policy or action is practical, not just for the immediate moment, for over days, years, or decades. But when we abandon principles, we can’t make this determination. And that is true whether we are a politician or a voter.