Some scholars think their function is speaking truth to the powerful, which is a beautiful ideal. The question is “will the powerful listen?” sociology professor Gianfranco Poggi from Italy's Trento University poses.
Professor Poggi is preparing to attend a major international conference in central Russia, which aims to look at ways to tackle global challenges.
The Russian President, the Prime Ministers of Spain and France, and other politicians plan to attend next week's gathering in the city of Yaroslavl.
They're expected to focus on security, the economic crisis, and international conflicts.
They'll also look at the development of different models of democracy in the modern world.