Co-opting versus aligning

Its amazing to work with people who are radical activists.....for one they know they will not be the majority but they know about aligning with different people whether its the academia, corporates, students, NGOs, military or the State....I haven't yet seen a radcical activist co-opt........but its different with academics who are confused or trying to look cool by calling themselves activists but make a big fuss in face of having to align with people with whom they have ego clashes but in no time will co-opt when power changes place.