Domestic political elite intellectuals: modern status features and socio-political rolechange

Abstract

Introduction. Instability of social development, permanently emerging crises make it necessary to quickly and
effectively respond, taking necessary measures at various levels of governance, directly related to the activities of the
political elite. In recent years, the issue of significant transformation of its composition, replenishing it with representatives
of various social strata, characterized by the necessary professional and personal potential has been particularly
acute. The intellectual stratum is becoming quite important among them. The aim of the study is to examine
the features of the modern status of intellectuals, their place in the structure of the basic segments of the political
elite and their socio-political role in modern conditions.
Materials and methods. The methodological basis was the methods of structural-functional and comparativehistorical
analysis, as well as value-normative approach taking into account intellectual layer features. Consideration
of the features of the modern status and the characteristics of the basic segments of the stratum of intellectuals is
based on the content-analysis of the biographies of 685 representatives of the modern Russian political elite and 271
representatives of the regional elite (including 136 in the Saratov region and 135 in the Volgograd region).
Results. The study made it possible to say that the modern layer of intellectuals has the necessary quality characteristics,
including education, experience and professionalism, with the exception of the special ethical self -determination
characteristic of the intelligentsia, associated with the prevalence of value priorities and motivations of
activity. At the same time, the layer of intellectuals in the modern domestic elite is quite fragmented and differentiated
in its composition, educational and professional characteristics.
Discussion. The research has shown that the differentiation and segmentation of the layer of professionals does
not allow them to reveal their full potential. The cohorts of formal-technocratic stratum and de-ideologized experts
united in this layer do not play the role of propagandists and educators, but mediators in the preparation of projects
necessary for the representatives of the ruling elite. The materials of the study can be useful for civil servants representing
various levels of public administration, and researchers engaged in the problem analysis.