Role of intellectuals in providing an evolutionary option for modern society development

The changes taking place in the modern world under the influence of globalization processes leave a serious imprint on the development of social systems contributing to the of a new era formationбwhich is associated with the temporality dominance. To develop in the desired evolutionary version, the states need implementing various social transformations under rapidly changing conditions. It is well known that both spontaneous and projected transformations are based on certain ideas, which, as a rule, are created by networks of intellectuals, and only then are implemented in practice – most often by powerful actors. Thus, the work objective is identifying the role of intellectuals in ensuring the possibilities of the evolutionary variant of the modern society development. To achieve this goal, the author uses own synthetic methodology, as well as an analytical-descriptive method, pragmatic and sociocultural approaches. The work shows the difference between an intellectual and intelligent man. It determines the essential characteristics of intellectuals. Practical examples show the diverse functions performed by intellectuals who go beyond the traditional understanding of «advisers to the authorities». The paper shows real opportunities that intellectuals can realize in a particular society; presents the risks of brain drain caused by non-attention to intellectuals and their inability to exert any real impact on the processes of social transformations.