The phenomenon of the cultural elite in the structure of cultural studies

In this article, the cultural elite is considered as one of the defining elements of socio-cultural transformation. Special attention is paid to the problem of mutual influence and interaction of the cultural elite and the ruling elite. The cultural elite, endowed with special symbolic power, not only constructs the society's actual understanding of culture, but also undoubtedly influences the formation of certain socio-cultural personality traits of the members of society. Analysis of the works of G. Mosca, V. Pareto allows us to trace the dynamics of the development of the term "elite" in the humanities. The article, following J. Ortega y Gasset, M. Allay and P. Bourdieu, highlights the special features of the representatives of the cultural elite and comprehends their place in modern society.