Archive:Wasta
Template:Refimprove Wasta is an Arabic expression that loosely translates into ‘who you know’ or 'clout'. It refers to using one’s influence or connections to get things done, such as quick renewal of a passport, waiving of traffic fines, and even garnering prestigious jobs. Wasta is deeply ingrained in Middle East culture, having been the de facto way of getting things done for decades.
Etymology
Wasta is derived from the Modern Standard Arabic word "wasīṭ"( وسيط) which commonly means medium but also often means something akin to intermediary, intercessor, or middle-man.
A Bahraini diarist provides some information about how the practice originated.
"The system evolved to preserve the social structure of the tribe. It allowed for the leadership to distribute the tribe's wealth as they deemed in their wisdom and experience would preserve peace and harmony. They would grant access to opportunities to those most deserving or to those who would otherwise be left behind, at their discretion. It is also important to keep the tribe from weakening itself, therefore internal competition is avoided." Template:Who
Consider the following hypothetical situation in which Wasta could come into play:
You are applying for a building permit at the local authorities office. A committe reviews all applications once a quarter and a strict application submission deadline is published a long with a list of supporting documents needed.
You provide your application a day before that deadline. However you fail to provide one of the documents needed for your application to be considered complete.
Having a wasta in the local authorities office, you are given more time to provide the supporting document (basically beyond the published application deadline) whereas someone else (without a wasta) would have their application rejected and would have to wait until the second quarter to apply for that same permit.
Furthermore, companies in the Arab world rarely have a ‘no-nepotism’ policy in place, so one can often find a workforce with some unqualified relatives and friends. This takes place in both the public and private sectors.
In many Arab countries (e.g. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, etc), wasta affects hiring and promotion decisions. This is not restricted to Arab nationals but is also practiced by expatriates who use their connections as wastas.
Lately, wasta is discussed in the Middle East and its negative impacts discussed. With respect to recruitment, there seems to be a movement away from this wasta, especially in the case of multinationals and professional firms. However, still Wasta is still widely used in the region.