Rural intelligentsia in the social structure of post-Soviet society: on the problem of determining status positions

The author presents the problem of studying rural intelligentsia, due to both the complexity of choosing a theoretical and methodological basis for research, and the profound restructuring of modern Russian society. Dynamic social changes did not lead to the completion of the processes of the post-Soviet transformation. A striking example of this incompleteness is the situation of the intelligentsia. Based on the socio-professional approach, the rural intelligentsia is singled out, which includes representatives of the educational, health, cultural and social spheres, as well as rural specialists. It is shown that the deterioration of life in rural areas leads to a change in the social functions and role of the intelligentsia, to its deprivation and marginalization. At the same time, being an educated part of society, it can become a source of development of a modern village.