wasta
- noun
:
clientelismo
- In many regions, those with wasta often secure jobs that others cannot, thanks to personal connections.
- use wasta
- intercessory wasta
Examples
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The essay begins with a brief overview of clientelism and wasta.
Academic text (2004) -
The local mayor is known for his wasta, helping friends and family get contracts with the government.
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A quality control system in accordance with traditional values holds the wasta responsible for the performance of the client.
Academic text (1994) -
In difficult economic times, the search for a wasta solution intensifies.
Academic text (1994) -
The different experiences of the religious leaders in each village illustrate some important points about the use of wasta and development projects.
Academic text (2004) -
The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of wasta for rural development.
Academic text (2004) -
The style used by a manager in confronting the wasta depends on the amount of trust between them.
Academic text (1994) -
Attitudes towards the use of wasta are ambivalent.
Academic text (2004) -
A disadvantage of wasta is that it can be a cause of dissension.
Academic text (2004) -
The absence of state development initiatives in rural areas encourages the continuation of wasta, which allows some men to further their ambitions by influencing project outcomes.
Academic text (2004)
Synonyms
20
7.2
Giving jobs and other advantages to family or friends unfairly
15
8.4
Giving jobs or positions to friends instead of qualified people
Using a public office to get personal money or benefits
A system where people in power give jobs or money to supporters for loyalty
How Improper
Surface Forms
Etymology
Wasta comes from the Arabic wasaṭ, meaning 'middle' or 'intermediary'. It names the practice of using personal connections to gain advantages, like having a person in the middle who helps you through the system.