system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5:Why did several 20th century revolutions see it significant to get rid of intellectuals such as college professors and scientists? Did they not see that this would put them at a disadvantage compared to other nations?

Or were things not so clear-cut as what we've learned in world history?
gpt
Well first you have to ask *why* these movements purged so many intellectuals. In every case, it's your well-educated people who pose the biggest threat to your regime. Your professionals and college professionals are typically smart, well-organized, and resourceful. They make the most capable critics against the ruling regime, and can consequently be tentpoles for resistance. 

The former surgeon, the history professor, the criminal lawyer - in a very real way, these individuals are the *competition* for the ruling class.  Look at the Khmer Rouge. Virtually all of its top brass was composed of western-educated intellectuals. They knew exactly how powerful ideas and communication could be because that's how *they* rose to power. It was, at its core, an intellectual movement. And the best way to ensure its success was to eliminate its competition, i.e. *other* intellectuals who didn't agree with it.