Were academics and intellectuals ever conservative?

[Statilius the Epicurean]

The original Academy was fairly conservative with regards to Athenian democracy of the period. Most ancient philosophers were elitist in that since they believed the end of life was virtue, political rule should be by the virtuous and not the many. Although someone like Aristotle (though he had to flee Athens in the anti-Macedonian revolt after the death of Alexander) says he could practically settle for a mixed polity of moderate democracy.