Wasta by Robert Cunningham

 02/29/2024

Wasta A Middle Eastern Concept & an American Perspective

       To start let's define Wasta, it is a practice in Arab society where people use their personal relationships to gain favor. According to the author Wasta as mediation has a long and honorable history. In a tribal setting, wasta mediation binds families and communities for peace and well-being in a hostile environment. This face of wasta benefits society as a whole,as well as the parties involved. This practice has been present in the society for a long time.

     Nowdays, Wasta is seen as a mixed blessing. While it once helped resolve disputes between tribal groups and promote harmony, in modern society it has caused much personal frustration and slowed down business and government. Personally, Wasta created and perpetuated a system of winners and losers.  In addition; wasta has also been criticized as negatively affecting business and government. While the practices associated with wasta serve the best interests of some individuals, it often does so at the expense of the organization as a whole. The reasons involve recruitment and retention. In the Middle East jobs are a valuable commodity. Supervisors who hire high positions are under considerable social pressure and are entitled to pick their options based on wasta not by hard work.

          To conclude, the practice of Wasta, once used to maintain peace among the peoples of Arab countries, is now viewed as unfair and burdensome by many of those affected by it. Nonetheless, this system of favoritism expresses goodwill between friends and family while still serving to strengthen those bonds. Wasta is “alive and well” in Saudi culture and Americans who want to successfully collaborate with people from around the world must consider Wasta.