In this paper we revisit The Established and the Outsiders (Elias and Scotson 1965; second edition 1994). We argue that Elias was so intent upon demonstrating the heuristic value of his theory of established–outsider relations that he allowed these concerns to cloud his assessment of Scotson's data. We argue that the paradox is Elias had already developed more sophisticated and flexible tools for analysing the dynamic complexities of human figurations. Finally, we suggest that the problems Elias encountered in maintaining an effective degree of detachment in this study may lead to a wider appreciation of the difficulties facing anyone wishing to move from an understanding of the principles of the involvement-detachment thesis to their practical application.
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