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Introduction: Intelligentsia science inside and outside Russia.
1Department of History, 129 Dickinson Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA. mgordin@princeton.edu
Osiris
|October 4, 2008
Summary
The term "intelligentsia" offers a valuable lens for understanding Russia's educated elite and their role in science and technology assimilation. This essay argues for reviving the concept as a dynamic social institution, not a monolithic group.
Area of Science:
- History of Science and Technology
- Russian and Soviet Studies
- Sociology of Intellectuals
Background:
- The concept of 'intelligentsia' has historically been used to analyze the educated elite in Russia and the Soviet Union.
- The term has seen limited application in studies concerning the integration of science and technology into Russian culture.
Observation:
- This essay critically examines the complex historiography surrounding the term 'intelligentsia'.
- It identifies reasons for the term's underutilization in the context of science and technology assimilation.
- The analysis highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of the intelligentsia.
Findings:
- The study advocates for the revival of the 'intelligentsia' concept.
- It proposes viewing 'intelligentsia' not as a singular entity but as a diverse and evolving social institution.
- This reconceptualization is crucial for understanding historical and cultural dynamics.
Implications:
- Reviving the concept of 'intelligentsia' offers a more robust framework for analyzing the role of educated elites in scientific and technological development.
- Understanding the intelligentsia as a heterogeneous institution provides deeper insights into Russian culture and its engagement with modernity.
- The essay's approach sets the stage for a re-evaluation of intellectual history in Russia and the Soviet Union.
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