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co-optation

English translation: to co-opt

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:co-optation
Selected answer:to co-opt
Entered by: Ghyslaine LE NAGARD

13:23 May 31, 2008
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Social Sciences - Government / Politics
English term or phrase: co-optation
Arab regimes neutralized the democratic challenge by using a multilayered response that included repression, redefinition and co-optation.
===================
This is from a document about democracy in Arab countries.

Thanks in advance
Waleed Mohamed
United Arab Emirates
Local time: 06:07
to co-opt
Explanation:
to co-opt

to elect or choose as a member by the agreement of the existing members

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Note added at 20 mins (2008-05-31 13:44:09 GMT)
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Any dictionary will give this definition

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Note added at 1 hr (2008-05-31 14:25:38 GMT)
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This is exactly what these regimes do, "elect" or "choose" those people they wish to put in place.
Selected response from:

Ghyslaine LE NAGARD
New Caledonia
Grading comment
Thanks all
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +3to co-opt
Ghyslaine LE NAGARD
4 +1implementing part of the agenda of pro-democracy forces, or at least giving it lip service
Robert Forstag


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
implementing part of the agenda of pro-democracy forces, or at least giving it lip service


Explanation:
This is what the term means here.

Robert Forstag
United States
Local time: 22:07
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 24

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Kim Metzger: OED - co-opt: to absorb into a larger (esp. political) group, take over, adopt (an idea, etc.).
6 mins
  -> Thank you, Kim.
disagree  Ghyslaine LE NAGARD: nothing to do with co-optation
1 hr
  -> Oh really. Have a look at the way the term is used, and you will see that I have summarized its meaning rather accurately, in the present context.
agree  MikeGarcia
1 hr
  -> Thank you, Miguel....
neutral  Carol Gullidge: When a person is co-opted, they are "invited" to join in the running of something, and are not elected. So I agree with NewCal//hmmm, I thought it was people, not agendas, who got co-opted (eg, on to committees)
4 hrs
  -> "Co-opting" here has nothing to do with "inviting" or "electing", it has to do with adopting, or appearing to adopt, part of the agenda of the pro-democracy forces that are referred to in the text.
disagree  David Moore (X): Agree with NewCal
18 hrs
  -> See above comments.
agree  ErichEko ⟹⭐: YES, cooptation here refers to embracing BOTH pro-dem agenda and their people. E.g. giving pro-dem leading figures government posts. This way these people will soften their criticism or even wose become immersed in feudal pratices and culture.
3 days 16 hrs
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18 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
to co-opt


Explanation:
to co-opt

to elect or choose as a member by the agreement of the existing members

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 20 mins (2008-05-31 13:44:09 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Any dictionary will give this definition

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2008-05-31 14:25:38 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

This is exactly what these regimes do, "elect" or "choose" those people they wish to put in place.

Ghyslaine LE NAGARD
New Caledonia
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in FrenchFrench, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Thanks all

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Kim Metzger: This is one definition, but it doesn't fit the context. They neutralized the challenge by electing members?
37 mins
  -> Yes it fits the context exactly by electing/choosing those members they wish to put in place.
agree  Carol Gullidge: I think it does fit the context: if the members of the govt are co-opted, then they aren't democratically elected
4 hrs
agree  jacana54 (X)
10 hrs
agree  David Moore (X)
18 hrs
disagree  Robert Forstag: Co-opting does not appear to have anything to do with "election" here.
1 day 1 hr
  -> obviously you need to learn what "to elect / election" mean. which "to choose by voting" regardless of who does or does not vote and the number of people voting.
agree  Phong Le
2 days 21 hrs
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