Coopted

Coopted is the past participle form of the verb co-opt. It describes a person, group, or idea that has been absorbed into a larger organization or process, often by acceptance, appointment, or integration. The term can also refer to something that has been appropriated or adapted to serve the goals of a different system.

In political contexts, co-optation refers to strategies that bring dissenting or opposition actors into the governing circle or decision-making apparatus. Examples include inviting opposition leaders to join a ruling coalition, expanding committees to include sympathetic voices, or incorporating protest demands into official policy. The aim is typically to reduce threats, legitimize power, or stabilize governance. Critics argue that co-optation can dilute opposition, undermine pluralism, or blur lines between reform and control.

In organizational and social-movement contexts, co-opted actors may gain access to resources, status, or policy influence through inclusion. This can help professionalize a movement or ensure smoother implementation of policies, but it can also shift priorities toward consensus at the expense of original aims. The term is often used with caution, signaling a negotiation between autonomy and integration.

Etymology and usage notes: co-opt comes from co- (together) and opt (to choose). The adjective form is co-opted. Related concepts include co-optation, assimilation, capture, and patronage, with connotations ranging from pragmatic incorporation to strategic control.