When it comes to something non-personal, such as machines, objectivity as we see it is also present with Arabs. However, when we tie the personal to the machine, we provoke defensive behaviors such as mentioned above. The religion of Islam is rightly regarded to be egalitarian with respect to the status of believers. Even so, religious egalitarianism is often negated by ethnic discrimination within Arab society. Among the Bedouins, both nomadic and recently settled clans, there is a pecking order.
Relative status is determined partly by genealogy and partly by politico-economic strength.
The despised tribes are those which, due to sustained adversity, undertake some contemptible occupation. Among both sedentary and nomadic clans, certain families traditionally fulfill the leadership role. This elitism, like the traditional prejudice mentioned above, at times contravenes military conventions relating to rank and discipline. An officer who comes from an ignoble tribe will probably have difficulty exacting obedience from his men. Conversely, an NCO who comes from an elite family will very likely be treated as a commissioned officer by fellow tribesmen in service with him.