Intellectuals ’ Political Orientations: Toward an Analytical Sociology

This article surveys the field of the sociology of intellectuals, and calls for a move toward an analytical sociology. Topics covered are the definitions of intellectuals, the class nature of intellectuals, and the roles of intellectuals in society, in particular intellectuals ’ involvement in politics. This article then moves on to the literature on intellectuals ’ political consciousness, and makes a call for a shift from a moralistic mission to an analytical approach, and a shift from intellectuals as an “independent variable ” to a “dependent variable.