The role of intellectuals in Eastern Europe

The Romanian writer Horia-Roman Patapievici comments in an interview on the role of intellectuals in Eastern Europe. "There are those who declare that with the fall of European communism came the death of the intellectuals, just as Roland Barthes once declared the 'death of the author' or Michael Foucault the 'death of man'. This is nonsense. ... Of course it may be that the role of intellectuals is no longer as prominent as it was in the 20th century (although even then it was often a pitiful one). But to claim that intellectuals no longer have any influence is tantamount to denying citizens their intellectual status. ... The resentment against intellectuals arises from the notion that to be an intellectual is a privilege, and many who have a university education and can be seen and heard in the media but do not enjoy the 'privilege' of belonging to the circle of intellectuals want to get rid of it. But being an intellectual by no means gives you a carte blanche to be a prominent media figure and well-known or famous."

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