What is a thinking class?

Lately I have been wondering what is it really about the country X I live in that keeps us from “progressing…” Yes, there has been a long history of colonialism, natural disasters, foreign intervention, corruption… All of these things, some argue, can definitely have a huge impact on the way we live our daily lives today. But what if it is ultimately the way people behave that is actually the biggest problem… More than that, what if it is actually the way people think…
Two things I have noticed about country X… Money rids you of your ignorance. If you have money, and you speak… you have the power… regardless of your ability to do anything…
Second, it seems that there is no “thinking class…” Where is the vision? Who is going to analyze society? Who is going to think up a different future?
What is your definition of a thinking class and do you think this is essential for the advancement of a nation…