Wasta: The Culture of Nepotism on the Arabian Peninsula

This article explores the phenomenon of wasta, a form of nepotism deeply embedded in the socio-cultural fabric of the Arabian Peninsula, particularly within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Despite ongoing modernization efforts and attempts to combat corruption, wasta persists as a critical mechanism for social and economic interactions. Through a combination of Gadamer's hermeneutic method and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), this study analyses public perceptions of wasta based on data from social media platforms Reddit and YouTube. The findings reveal a complex narrative: while some view wasta as a form of social capital essential for navigating the region's social structures, others criticize it as a barrier to meritocracy and fairness. This paper introduces the theory of hybrid socio-cultural capital, positioning wasta as a multifaceted tool that blends social, cultural, and economic capital. The study concludes that wasta remains an essential, albeit controversial, element of Gulf societies, warranting further exploration in the context of globalization and social reform.