Russian Intelligentsia Research Paper

The Russian Intelligentsia began during the 19th century in Russia, which is the beginning of the golden age of Russian science and the start of the Russian revolutionary movement. The Russian Intelligentsia was a radical group of people who questioned the problems that Russia faced. They engaged in complex mental labor aimed at disseminating culture.
The origin of the Russian Intelligentsia is commonly associated with protests injustice and the destruction of the Russian monarchy. The term was first used in pre-revolutionary Russia. Although it is unknown where the idea started, its latest point of origin is Nikolay Cernysevskij. Radisce was, however, considered the founder and leader, but he was a radical. Although Nikolay is the latest point of origin, Radisce started the Intelligentsia movement with hi book Journey. Both men, however, had similar
beliefs regarding the Intelligentsia and the classes of Russian society. For example, both hated serfdom, despotism, and clerical obscurantism. They believed that unnecessary wars hurt people and didn’t want revolution unless it was used as a last resort. Both believed that the Intelligentsia would help those of a lower class and bring equality to all.
The Russian Intelligentsia is considered a transitionary phenomenon, as it brought change from an undeveloped country to a modern and industrialized country. Maciej Janawski identified the Intelligentsia as “intellectual servants to the modern state” in The Rise of the Intelligentsia (1750-1831). They believed Russia had to be rebuilt entirely based on science and education. The Intelligentsia had strong faith in the natural sciences, the power of education, and the equality of women. The group resembled the educated professional middle class in European countries. The Intelligentsia wanted to change social conditions of the lower classes with social reforms. They even had women in the Intelligentsia alongside men. They had a conviction that no unearthly or divine institution should be allowed to endure which perpetuated the injustices visited upon those on lower classes. According to the Intelligentsia and many other revolutionary groups, science was perceived as synonymous with truth, progress, and radicalism. They will, however, use rebellions and the working lower class to overthrow capitalism and to achieve their own goals. As a result, the Intelligentsia was also viewed by many as a totalitarian political group like communism due to its similar beliefs.
The Intelligentsia will use violence and workers to achieve its goals.
They have an open hatred to injustice, ignorance, censorship, and serfdom. They had compassion for the oppressed, an ideal of service to and sacrifice for the people, and its desire to educate themselves and others of lower classes. They wanted to change the social conditions of the lower classes by any means necessary, which included violent rebellions and protests. They are, however, radical in their methods of promoting their philosophy:
“He who damns his past is ours- such is our formula! Should the people prove incapable of education- they should be eliminated, since then it would be clear that our people are unworthy, barbarian mas which should be compelled to obey… Truth resides only in the Intelligentsia and in Europe.” (Allen McConnel)
The Russian Intelligentsia were thinkers that tried to fix Russian society. Although they promoted their views with protests and rebellions, they wanted to have social reforms to solve Russia’s problems. Due to the Intelligentsia’s efforts, Russia began to consider some social reformations in its
society.