The relation between the political and the intellectual elite. Conflict and/or collaboration?

Abstract

This work is the written text of an argumentative discourse supporting that intellectuals in general and the intellectual elite in particular cannot govern a state directly, in terms of professional status, profession, social status and role, but only in the form of advisors to those who are at the top of the governmental pyramid, and at the same time it would not be good that this happen. Taking this into account, there are three types of relations that can be established between the political and the intellectual elite, namely collaboration, conflict and neutrality, with the first two being stronger. I propose a theorization of the concept of elite, starting with Vilfredo Paretto and ending with Max Weber, through the concepts put forward by Edward Shills, Wright Mills, Roberto Michels and Gaetano Mosca. I have always had in mind the extremely significant distinction made by sociologist Max Weber between profession and vocation, this approach being a methodological support for demonstrating here the difference between the professional intellectual and the politician in power.