Theorising Cash-in-hand Work

Abstract

This chapter reviews the previous literature on cash-in-hand work so as to help the reader situate the theoretical framework developed here with regard to what has gone before and to identify how this book takes forward knowledge on cash-in-hand work. Analysing the past literature, it will be shown that until now, the principal focus of inquiry has been upon estimating the magnitude of the underground sector and how this varies either spatially or socially (e.g. Feige, 1990; Fortin et al., 1996; Leonard, 1998; Renooy, 1990; Thomas, 1999; Williams and Windebank, 2000b, 2001a). Taking as the starting point the ‘marginality thesis’ that views cash-in-hand work to be concentrated amongst marginalised groups and areas (e.g. Castells and Portes, 1989; De Soto, 1989; Lagos, 1995; Maldonado, 1995; Rosanvallon, 1980), most studies will be shown to have done little more than attempt to either corroborate or falsify this thesis by analysing whether or not such work is concentrated amongst marginalised groups and/or areas (see Williams and Windebank, 1998).