coopting

Coopting, also spelled co-opting or co-optation, refers to the act of absorbing or assimilating elements of a group, movement, or idea into a larger organization or authority. The aim is usually to gain legitimacy, neutralize opposition, or enlist support by bringing dissenters or rival claims under one umbrella. The term can apply to individuals, symbols, policies, or rhetoric being incorporated into the agenda of a dominant actor.

In politics and organizational contexts, co-optation occurs through mechanisms such as offering representation on boards or committees, granting resources or positions, adopting aspects of a movement’s platform, or publicly endorsing its aims. Such moves may be voluntary or strategic, and they can blur boundaries between antagonists and allies. Co-optation can also involve shaping language, symbols, or narratives to frame the absorbed elements as compatible with the prevailing order.

The practice is debated. Proponents argue that co-optation can reduce conflict, spread governance, and address grievances within a manageable framework. Critics contend that it can dilute original goals, undermine autonomy, or produce token concessions that fail to alter power dynamics meaningfully. In some cases, co-optation is viewed as a subtle form of control that stabilizes the status quo rather than empowering marginalized groups.

Etymology traces co-opt back to co- (together) and opt (to choose), with the sense evolving from selecting jointly to absorbing or aligning another group or idea. The term is common in sociology, political science, and organizational studies, where it denotes a strategy of assimilation rather than overt repression.