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Jordan's dirty little secret

By: Qwaider

On:Monday, December 22, 2008 9:45:04 AM
In:Thoughts
Viewed: (7655) times

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Or perhaps, it's not that much of a secret... But in my personal view I find it to be the greatest threat to the prosperity of the Jordanian society and its progress.

This secret is called Wasta (nepotism), traditionally used to further draw wedges between Jordanians and Palestinians since Jordanians typically have Wasta and Jordanians of Palestinian origins didn't.

As the society grew, and intertwined, the clear distinction grew fainter and the society mingled to the point it became almost impossible to distinguish between the two. But, that didn't stop Wasta.

If you dig deeper, you'll discover that Wasta is rooted way deeper in the society, and the government in so many levels that for the new generations, it it's quite common to ask the "uncle" or the "cousin" for favors that often mean breaking the law, or bending the rules.

Jordanians against wasta

It's so common in fact that some people boast their ability to rally more influential people to their unworthy and undeserving cause.

It became quite common for many to gain seats in prominent universities in twisted ways based on the influence of people. Same goes for government sponsored scholarships.

But for the vast majority of people around Jordan. Wasta means a way to pursued our extremely inefficient workforce to just do their job. Since everyone appears to be handling public service as their own private goat.

In Jordan, we might be suffering from honor crimes, gender inequality and many other social problems. But none reaches epidemic levels more than Wasta and how it infiltrates the very fabric of Jordanian society.

Jordan is a developing country, struggling in the big world with legacy similar to that of most middle eastern countries. Affected by wars, a heterogeneous structure as bad as that of former Yugoslavia and a weird affinity to family name instead of real individual achievement. Even chances appear to be extra selective in the Jordanian society.

This cancer of our modern society needs a huge effort by All Jordanians, from all walks of life, but most notably from youth and younger generations to make sure this disgusting ailment doesn't propagate to one more generation. Let's all say NO to corruption.

No to Wasta, and Yes to a better Jordan

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Memories....

#2
KJ
Said
On: 12/22/2008 10:24:34 AM
SpamScore=[-0.48]

It's a cancer that's present everywhere Sam. Through social networking and Wasta people are getting ahead in their fields or getting a chance to get employed even.

A good resume doesn't do a lot of things these days, and that is a sad reality that needs to be changed, because there are a lot of talented individuals who can really make a difference in the market but don't have the "gift" of being well connected.

#3
kinzi
Said
On: 12/22/2008 10:38:39 AM
SpamScore=[-1.5]

Wasta is one of Jordan's biggest 'dream-stealers' (see MommaBean's post). Great post.

#4
Hani Obaid
Said
On: 12/22/2008 11:43:02 AM
SpamScore=[-5.33]

I'm not sure if there is even a word in English for wasta. Nepotism is much narrower than wasta since it means favoring your family over others in your professional capacity. Wasta extends not only to nuclear family, but extended family, 3asheereh, city, or even region, and outside family all together to the influential and the wealthy.

I think it wouldn't be so bad if you could actually get things done without it, when we sold our old apartment next to Jordan university I went with the buyer to the water company to get our old deactivated account transferred to him. You can't imagine how many people he had to beg, bribe, and kneel to get a simple transaction like this completed.

I think there's a basic lack of a healthy work ethic at all levels of society regardless how educated. A sense of entitlement and dishonesty which is very strange considering this is supposed to be a relatively conservative muslim nation. It goes to our previous discussion where you insisted on equating religion with morality. The link just isn't there in reality.