MANAGEABLE DISCORD - FRAUD AND RESISTANCE IN THE SOCIAL-SECURITY SYSTEM

This article presents findings from a study of the attitudes and belie fs of social security claimants engaged in benefit fraud. The basis fo r a taxonomy of such claimants is outlined, drawing upon concepts of r eflexivity and anxiety. This is compared and contrasted with other the oretically-drawn taxonomies, one relating to workplace crime, the othe r to the consumption of social care services. Finally, the article con siders whether benefit fraud is intelligible as resistance to social c ontrol. It is argued that benefit fraud represents a conservative form of resistance. Benefit fraud does not signify a ''culture'' of resist ance, so much as a ''manageable'' form of rule-breaking.