Moral component in the elite theory

The article is devoted to the moral component of the elite theory. We have analyzed one of the main meanings of the term “elite”, the place of moral assessments in interpretations of the elite in the history of socio-philosophical thought, including the views of Confucius, Th. More, G. W. F. Hegel, N. A. Berdyaev, as well as within the value-based approach in elitology. This approach reveals the significant features in the ideas about the elite in modern society. It is noted that some moral qualities that were previously considered attributive to the elite become qualities of wider social strata. Thus, the moral component of the concept of elite is currently gaining more importance and characterizing a wider range of individuals and social groups than during the formation of elitology.