The term 'wasta stems from the Arabic root for 'middle' or 'medium'
and describes the phenomenon of using 'connections' to find job,
government services or other favors to circumvent bureaucracy or
bypass the system as a whole. The effects of 'wasta' may be both
positive or negative, and is not a phenomenon that is particular to
the Arab or Muslim world, but also to many other cultures and
regions of the world, with similar concepts popularly known as
ubuntu, guanxi, harambee, naoberschop, or "old boy network" used in
African, Chinese and European societies. By its very nature 'wasta'
is an area of grey or even black information, and, like corruption
to which it is most often associated, is hard to assess although
country corruption perception indexes attempt to provide a
quantifiable basis. In the final analysis such ratings are based on
perceptions of corruption, and this perception may vary strongly
depending on different societal structures and cultural modes,
whether these are extended family systems, tribal, clans or more
atomized societies where relationships are essentially
transactional and rule based. In a western perspective where
'wasta' may be considered as a form of corruption, in other
societies it may be perceived as something 'natural' and not
criminal, and using one's 'wasta' in tribal societies to help clan
members is seen as a duty. The difference stems from the 'innocent
' use of 'wasta' to make introductions, as opposed to its abuse in
placing unqualified persons in positions .The volume brings
together academics and professional experts to examine a range of
multi-faceted social, economic and political issues raised by the
use and abuse of social networking, covering various topics like:
'wasta' interpersonal connections in family and business ties, The
relationship between inequality-adjusted human development and
corruption perception indexes in the Gulf region, 'wasta' and
business networking, assessing the economic cost of 'wasta',
'wasta' and its impact on quality oriented education reform and the
perceptions of young people, The use of 'wasta' to overcome
socio-cultural barriers for women and men The volume also offers
insights into social relations and ethics, and how the use of
'wasta' contradicts with common held religious principles, along
with some country studies on Islamic principles and the use of
'wasta'. Mohamed Ramady is a Visiting Associate Professor, King
Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia.
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