The Knowledge Elite and the Failure of Prophecy

First published in 1985, The Knowledge Elite and the Failure of Prophecy presents a demystification of the role of the Knowledge Elite, or the role many intellectuals have purported to play in modern, Western, society. The author debunks their role as self-proclaimed prophets in charge of foretelling (or ‘forecasting’ as it is more fashionably called) things to come and in charge of guiding society towards a better future – devised by themselves. Scholars who have converged on the idea of the ‘post-industrial’ society have argued that the theoretical knowledge provided by what they call the Knowledge Class has been more useful than ever in guiding society towards greater rationality, affluence, equity, and liberty. In contrast, this book presents the argument that it is precisely in these years that the benefits of the knowledge provided by intellectuals have petered out, that its dubious and even harmful effects have become more prominent, and that the knowledge provided by intellectuals has been instrumental in helping to bring about a more confused society – a society increasingly incapable of coping with its mounting problems.

This is a book on intellectuals, for intellectuals, by an intellectual. It is a book of social commentary, critique, and polemic. It is designed not to please, but to challenge intellectuals and to provoke counter-critique and controversy.