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The origins of an object relations viewpoint common to three Scottish thinkers – Fairbairn, Macmurray and Suttie – are raised. The importance of the social for Scottish Psychiatry is described briefly. A recent argument by Gerson concerning the political implications of object relations thinking is reviewed. Gerson suggests this strand of thinking has its origins in the development of the welfare state. Social thinking of the Scottish Enlightenment is described briefly. It is argued that the origins of object relations theory lie in Scottish Enlightenment views of the social, not in welfare state thinking, which itself may have come from the same source.Psychoanalysis, Culture & Society (2008) 13, 325–334. doi:10.1057/pcs.2008.18 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]