The article analyzes the functions and role of the intellectual elite in political life. It is established that in a democratic society the intellectual elite plays a significant role, influencing all spheres of public life, including political life, including the formation of political elite, political consciousness and political culture of society, prioritizing its development and forecasting socio-political transformations. The division of the functions of the intellectual elite into four blocks is proposed. The main blocks of the functions of the intellectual elite in political life include: informing the public and explaining political processes and phenomena, forming political consciousness and political culture, goal setting in the development of society in general and the political system in particular, integration of society and rationalization of socio-political order. It is determined that the first block includes cognitive, consultative, controlling function, as well as critical reflection on vital areas of the social system. It was found that the second block of tasks of the intellectual elite is represented by the axiological function and the function of enrichment and development of intellectual culture (as a resource for the political development of society). It is established that the third functional unit consists of strategic, managerial and innovation functions. It is shown that the fourth block is represented by communicative, integrative, stabilizing, prognostic functions, as well as the function of structuring a new hierarchy and inequality and the function of rationalizing the existing order. It is substantiated that the main specific functions of the intellectual elite in Ukraine are related to the current political situation. In particular, it is determined that such functions as the preservation of spiritual values, transmission of knowledge and ideas, the ability to serve society, informing it, assistance in assessing events that are happening almost everywhere are projected on the intellectual elite. It is determined that due to their implementation the nation is consolidating, which is the key to harmonization of political life.