Wasta and the Wasting of Talent: Examining Intercessory Wasta as a Grievance Among Palestinians in Amman, Jordan
General Material Designation
[Thesis]
First Statement of Responsibility
Root, Jonathan A.
Subsequent Statement of Responsibility
Seitz, Thomas
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
University of Wyoming
Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.
2020
GENERAL NOTES
Text of Note
159 p.
DISSERTATION (THESIS) NOTE
Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree
M.A.
Body granting the degree
University of Wyoming
Text preceding or following the note
2020
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
Grievances and similar phenomena in societal groups have been recognized as precursors to terrorism. Aggrieved refugee communities facing poor socioeconomic conditions are especially at risk of radicalization, which correlates to higher rates of terrorism and increased security challenges in host countries. Current research on grievances among the significant populations of Palestinians in the Middle East is primarily focused within the West Bank and Gaza. Palestinians in Jordan-a majority of the country's population-have not been adequately studied to examine the prevalence or origins of grievances. "Wasta" is a widely recognized and firmly embedded form of social interaction throughout the Arab world which affects many aspects of daily life. Because its origins are related to tribal arbitration, wasta is especially prevalent in Jordan. This thesis examines wasta among Palestinians in Jordan by conducting research with inductive, qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and document analysis. This thesis argues that wasta is a main grievance among young Palestinians in Amman, Jordan. Additionally, wasta-a contemporary colloquial term for intercessory wasta in Amman-is necessary in Jordan to get a job; therefore, wasta is typically defined within the employment context, is inextricably linked with economic grievances, and exacerbates a poor economy. Additionally, various forms of ethnonationalist discrimination exist in Jordan and wasta exacerbates this discrimination. Finally, young Palestinians in Amman largely fear the government, do not believe that they have freedom of speech or expression, nor do they have faith in the government to fix these problems.