AI Says...
How Social Media Enabled an Authoritarian Shift
The concept of the Overton Window describes the range of socially acceptable ideas in a given society. While this window once evolved slowly under the influence of traditional media, the digital age and social media have significantly accelerated its movement. Ideas that were once considered extreme or unthinkable are now part of public debate and, in some cases, have even become official policy. This phenomenon has been particularly exploited by modern autocratic leaders, who have used social media as a tool to manipulate public opinion and normalize anti-democratic trends.
1. Donald Trump: The Legitimization of Lies and Populism
With Trump’s rise, ideas previously dismissed as demagogic or conspiratorial have infiltrated mainstream discourse. Through Twitter, he normalized practices such as direct attacks on the media (labeled as "fake news"), the promotion of conspiracy theories (QAnon, fabricated electoral fraud), and the undermining of democratic institutions (the Capitol riot). In just a few years, he shifted the Overton Window toward greater tolerance for disinformation and the erosion of democratic norms.
2. Jair Bolsonaro: The Normalization of Violence and Climate Denial
The Brazilian president used social media to spread ideas once considered scandalous, such as supporting police violence, disregarding minority rights, and rejecting environmental policies. His brutal political approach moved the Overton Window toward a more repressive state and greater tolerance for environmental crimes, particularly in the Amazon.
3. Vladimir Putin: The Glorification of Authoritarianism
Putin has leveraged digital disinformation to instill the belief that Western democracy is hypocritical and that autocracy is a viable alternative. The invasion of Ukraine—once unthinkable in a post-Cold War Europe—gradually became an "accepted" reality among segments of the Russian and international public, thanks to skillful manipulation of historical and patriotic narratives.
4. Xi Jinping: The Normalization of Digital Surveillance
Under Xi Jinping, China has shifted the Overton Window toward widespread acceptance of mass surveillance and social control. The social credit system, pervasive censorship, and repression of Uyghurs have not only been accepted but also justified by a large portion of the Chinese population, influenced by an effective digital propaganda apparatus.
5. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: The Criminalization of Opposition
In Turkey, Erdoğan has turned anti-democratic practices—such as imprisoning journalists and repressing political opponents—into acceptable political norms. Through social media and state-controlled media, he has shifted public perception toward greater tolerance for political repression, under the guise of combating terrorism and "enemies of the nation."
6. Benjamin Netanyahu: Extreme Polarization and the Justification of Annexation
Netanyahu has moved the Overton Window in Israel by introducing rhetoric that demonizes internal opposition and justifies territorial expansion. By leveraging social media and strict control over security narratives, he has contributed to a shift in public opinion toward harsher policies against Palestinians and an increasingly authoritarian stance.
A Lasting Global Effect?
The manipulation of the Overton Window by these leaders has had profound consequences, legitimizing practices that, just a decade ago, would have sparked global outrage. The combination of social media and targeted propaganda has allowed entire societies to shift toward greater acceptance of authoritarianism, disinformation, and repression.
In response to this trend, it is crucial to rethink democratic safeguards and promote digital literacy to counteract these manipulations. Otherwise, the Overton Window may continue shifting toward a future where authoritarianism is no longer the exception—but the norm.
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