intelligentsia

The intelligentsia is a social stratum composed of educated professionals who generate and disseminate ideas, culture, and criticism, often engaging in public affairs. The term derives from the Russian language and entered European discourse in the 19th century; in English it was first used in the late 19th century.

In Russia, the intelligentsia emerged in the 19th century with growth of literacy, universities, and printing. It included writers, editors, teachers, civil servants; many supported reform and the emancipation of the serfs; often critical of autocracy; sometimes aligned with revolutionary movements; and played a key role in shaping national culture and ideology.

In other contexts, such as France and Western Europe, the term describes educated elites who advocate for social reform, moral concerns, or political critique; the concept has been central to debates about the role of culture in politics. The intelligentsia has been described as a mediator between government and people, or as a potential force for progress, sometimes accused of detachment from the economic conditions of the masses.

In contemporary usage, the term remains common in sociology and political discourse to refer to scholars, writers, journalists, scientists, and other professionals engaged in public life. Critiques focus on elitism, narrow perspectives, or the role in reproducing status hierarchies. Some scholars connect the concept to more recent ideas such as the creative class or knowledge economy.