In the article some approaches to study political elite, in particular the Soviet nomenclature, used by modern Russian researchers are considered.

Within the limits of structurally functional and institutional approaches the Soviet ruling class is presented as the corporative organization with the certain rules of functioning, divided on four basic groups according to hierarchical principle.

In modern philosophic and psychological researches insufficiency of the given approaches and necessity to combine them with subject-activity approach in order to define the term "elite" is described. It is offered to consider the status of object in political system side by side with political institutes. In modern researching works attempts to reveal socio-psychological characteristics of authorities are undertaken as a result of analysis of the significant volume of empirical material. These characteristics can serve as a substantiation of political elite behavior and hence as acceptances of strategically important decisions for a society.