cooptation
Absorbing potential opposition
Cooptation is the process of absorbing or assimilating outsiders, opponents, or threatening elements into a group or system, neutralizing their opposition by giving them a stake in the status quo.
A radical movement might lose its edge through cooptation when its leaders are given positions of influence: The revolution died through cooptation, not suppression.
The word often carries a negative connotation of co-opting genuine dissent.
Process of taking in
- neutralizationCanceling opposing forces
- defusionNeutralizing an explosive device
- incorporationForming a legal entity
- appropriationUnauthorized claiming or allocation
subversion · manipulation · opposition · dissent · resistance · movement · activist · radical
Act of obtaining something
- mergerCorporate combination
- takeoverAssuming command of something
- buyoutPurchase of controlling interest
- absorptionProcess of taking in
consolidation · hostile · integration · control · monopoly · annexation · dominance · leverage
Voting document
- candidatePerson seeking selection
- votingFormally registering a choice
- endorsementFormal expression of support
- nominationFormal candidate selection
campaign · coalition · primary · caucus · party · platform · constituency · delegate
Unauthorized claiming or allocation
- misappropriationWrongful taking of entrusted assets
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- theftUnlawful taking of property
- borrowingTemporary taking of another's
adoption · colonialism · imperialism · erasure · commodification · exoticization · hegemony · dominance
Advocating to decision-makers
- influencePower to affect others
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
cronyism · elite · insider · revolving door · bureaucracy · institution · agency · appointment
absorption
Process of taking in
- neutralizationCanceling opposing forces
- defusionNeutralizing an explosive device
- incorporationForming a legal entity
appropriation · subversion · manipulation · opposition · dissent · resistance · movement · activist · radical · reform
acquisition
Act of obtaining something
- mergerCorporate combination
- takeoverAssuming command of something
- buyoutPurchase of controlling interest
absorption · consolidation · hostile · integration · control · monopoly · annexation · dominance · leverage · boardroom
ballot
Voting document
- candidatePerson seeking selection
- votingFormally registering a choice
- endorsementFormal expression of support
nomination · campaign · coalition · primary · caucus · party · platform · constituency · delegate · ticket
appropriation
Unauthorized claiming or allocation
- misappropriationWrongful taking of entrusted assets
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- theftUnlawful taking of property
borrowing · adoption · colonialism · imperialism · erasure · commodification · exoticization · hegemony · dominance · marginalization
lobbying
Advocating to decision-makers
- influencePower to affect others
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- patronageSupporter's financial backing
nepotism · cronyism · elite · insider · revolving door · bureaucracy · institution · agency · appointment · oversight
cooptationequal partnership
Arrangement where both contribute alike
empowerment · grassroots organizing · democratic participation · solidarity · coalition-building
cooptationresistance
Capacity to withstand force
subversion · infiltration · hostile takeover · revolution · insurgency
cooptationsuppression
Forcible prevention or concealment
exclusion · repression · marginalization · confrontation · persecution
adopt, option, opt, coopt, coopted, cooption, co-option, co-optation