obtinent

Obtinent is a neologism used to describe processes, artifacts, or agents that achieve their ends by actively obtaining resources, commitments, or access from others, rather than relying solely on internal capabilities. The term can function as a noun (an obtinent) or as an adjective (an obtinent strategy or mechanism).

The coinage draws on the Latin obtinēre, meaning to obtain, with ob- suggesting direction toward acquisition.

In practice, obtinent approaches emphasize securing external inputs such as contracts, data rights, endorsements, or concessions at early stages of a project. In decision theory and strategic planning, an obtinent stance prioritizes leverage and negotiation over unilateral control. For example, a startup might pursue obtinent procurement by locking in key suppliers and customer commitments before scaling production; a policy designer might seek cross‑party bindings to ensure feasibility.

Some authors distinguish between purely external obtentions (obtaining external resources) and hybrid forms that combine internal capability with external assurances. The term has appeared in contemporary theoretical and speculative discourse as a way to describe strategies that foreground obtaining over owning. It remains relatively niche, with ongoing debate about its scope, normative implications, and distinctions from established concepts in economics, political science, and philosophy.

Related concepts include obtainment, acquisition, negotiation-based strategy, and instrumental rationality.