Milovan Djilas 's " The New Class: An Analysis of the Communist System

" (originally Nova klasa) is a seminal political work published in 1957. It is famous for being one of the first internal critiques of Communism by a high-ranking official within the party. Core Argument

Djilas argues that instead of creating a "classless society," Communist revolutions resulted in the emergence of a "New Class".

Definition: This class consists of the political bureaucracy (party officials) who, while not "owning" property in the traditional sense, exercise total control over nationalized property and resources.

Power Dynamics: This group uses its monopoly on power to secure privileges, wealth, and status, effectively replacing the old capitalist class with a new, more absolute ruling elite.

Totalitarianism: The book describes how this new class maintains control through a combination of administrative management, ideological dogmatism, and police force. Historical Significance

Author's Background: Djilas was a top Yugoslav leader and close associate of Josip Broz Tito before his disillusionment and subsequent imprisonment.

Impact: The book was a bestseller in the West and translated into over 60 languages. It became a foundational text for anti-Communist thought and internal dissent within the Eastern Bloc.

Legacy: It is still studied for its insights into how power structures consolidate within revolutionary movements. Finding the PDF

You can find digital versions or summaries of the work on platforms such as:

Scribd: Often hosts community-uploaded PDF and TXT versions.

Internet Archive: Frequently contains historical public domain or library-scanned copies of political classics.

Academic Repositories: Many university libraries provide access to digital copies for students and researchers. Milovan Đilas Nova Klasa PDF - Scribd

The New Class: An Analysis of the Communist System (original Serbian title: Nova klasa) is the most famous work by Milovan Djilas, a former high-ranking Yugoslav official who became one of the most prominent dissidents of the Cold War. Summary of the Book

In this 1957 classic, Djilas argues that the communist revolution did not abolish classes as it claimed. Instead, it replaced the old ruling classes with a "New Class" consisting of the party bureaucracy. This group, he contends, maintains absolute control over the state and its economy, enjoying privileges far beyond those of the workers they claim to represent. Accessing the Text

PDF Versions: You can find full-text copies of the book for study on platforms like Archive.org and Scribd.

Editions: Modern editions, such as the 2023 release by Fokalizator, continue to be published in Serbian/Montenegrin. About the Author

Milovan Djilas was once a vice-president of Yugoslavia and a close aide to Josip Broz Tito. His public criticism of the regime led to his expulsion from the Communist Party in 1954 and several subsequent imprisonments. The New Class was smuggled out of Yugoslavia and published in the West, leading to international acclaim and further legal trouble for Djilas at home. The New Class

Milovan Djilas 's seminal work, The New Class: An Analysis of the Communist System Nova klasa: Kritika savremenog komunizma

), is a critical exploration of how communist regimes inevitably create a new, privileged ruling elite. Written while Djilas was a political prisoner in Yugoslavia, the book argues that the "classless society" promised by Marxism was replaced by a system of bureaucratic totalitarianism. Prefeitura de Aracaju Core Content and Main Thesis

Djilas's central argument is that the Communist Party did not abolish classes but rather established a "New Class"

consisting of the political bureaucracy and party officials. Prefeitura de Aracaju Ownership through Control:

While this class does not "own" property in a traditional capitalist sense, it exercises collective ownership by controlling the state apparatus and the means of production. Exploitation:

This elite group uses its monopoly on power to secure privileges—better housing, luxury goods, and immunity—at the expense of the working class they claim to represent. Stifled Society:

The bureaucracy maintains power through a network of patronage, suppressing dissent and stifling innovation to preserve its status. CIA (.gov) Book Structure (Chapters) The content is typically organized into these key sections: CIA (.gov) SUMMARY OF THE NEW CLASS - by Milovan Djilas - CIA

Milovan Đilas's The New Class (original title: Nova klasa) remains one of the most significant internal critiques of the communist system ever written. Published in 1957, it led to the author's imprisonment because it exposed how the party-state bureaucracy had evolved into a new privileged ruling class that controlled all nationalized property. Core Arguments of "The New Class"

The Rise of the Bureaucratic Elite: Đilas argued that instead of creating a classless society, communist revolutions resulted in a "new class" of party officials and bureaucrats who held a monopoly over political and economic power.

Collective Ownership as Private Benefit: Although property was "nationalized," this new class used, enjoyed, and disposed of it as if it were their own collective private property.

Monopoly of Power: This class maintained dominance through total control of the state apparatus, the police, and the military, viewing these institutions as their exclusive weapons.

Ideological Self-Delusion: Members of this class often believed they were working for the proletariat while actually prioritizing their own survival and status. Where to Find the Full Text

The manuscript can be accessed through several academic and archival repositories: SUMMARY OF THE NEW CLASS - by Milovan Djilas - CIA

Milovan Đilas and "The New Class": A Revolutionary Critique of Revolution When Milovan Đilas (also spelled Djilas) published his seminal work, The New Class: An Analysis of the Communist System

(Serbo-Croatian: Nova Klasa) in 1957, it sent shockwaves through both the Western and Communist worlds. Written while the author was imprisoned in Yugoslavia for his dissenting views, the book remains one of the most profound "inside jobs" in political theory. 1. The Core Thesis: A Paradox of Power

Đilas, a former high-ranking Yugoslav official and a key aide to Josip Broz Tito, argued that Communist revolutions did not actually create a classless society. Instead, they replaced traditional capitalists with a "New Class" of political bureaucrats and party functionaries.

Collective Ownership as Private Profit: While property was "nationalized" in name, this new elite controlled and disposed of it for their own benefit, effectively acting as its owners.

A Monopoly on Life: Unlike previous ruling classes that held partial power (e.g., economic or political), this New Class exercised a total monopoly over the political, economic, and ideological spheres.

Betrayal of Ideals: Đilas observed that those who were once selfless heroes ready to die for the people often became "characterless wretches" willing to sacrifice everything to maintain their place in the hierarchy. SUMMARY OF THE NEW CLASS - by Milovan Djilas - CIA

2. Core Thesis

• The communist revolution did not abolish class – it created a new ruling class.
• This class is not based on ownership of capital, but on control of political power and state resources.
• Djilas calls it the “political bureaucracy” or “new class” – it appropriates surplus value through state management, not private property.

The Birth of the "New Class"

In the story of his disillusionment, Đilas coined the term that would make him famous: The New Class.

He argued that while the system claimed to be a dictatorship of the proletariat, it was actually a dictatorship of the Party bureaucracy. This new class—the party officials, the managers, the police chiefs—derived its power not from capital, but from "collective ownership."

In a capitalist society, a CEO makes money. In the "New Class" society Đilas described, the bureaucrat makes power.

This was the terrifying realization that makes the book so enduring. Đilas wrote that this new class was actually more exploitative than the old bourgeoisie. A capitalist wants profit; a bureaucrat wants total control. To maintain their grip on the "collective property," the New Class had to stifle freedom, censor speech, and eliminate dissent.

Đilas realized that he was no longer a revolutionary fighting for the worker. He was a member of a new elite, enjoying the fruits of other people's labor while preaching equality.

Key Thesis

• In communist states, the means of production are formally owned by the “people” or the state, but real control lies with the party elite.
• This elite forms a new class that appropriates economic and political privileges for itself, replicating the exploitative features of capitalism.

Notable Quotations

“The new class is a class of special privileges and exclusive rights… it appropriates for itself the ownership of the means of production in the name of the people.”

“What is happening today is not the building of communism, but the formation of a new class of owners, disguised as servants of the people.”

If you need a critical analysis or a comparison with other works (e.g., Orwell’s Animal Farm, Burnham’s The Managerial Revolution), let me know and I can provide more depth.

Milovan Djilas The New Class (1957) is a landmark of 20th-century political theory, written by a man who was once Tito’s heir apparent in Yugoslavia before becoming the Eastern Bloc's most famous dissident. The Core Argument

Djilas argues that Communist revolutions, despite claiming to abolish classes and establish equality, actually create a "New Class." This class is composed of the political bureaucracy—the party officials and administrators who do not technically "own" property but exercise total control over it. Key Strengths of the Work

Insider Authority: Unlike Western critics (like Hayek or Orwell), Djilas wrote from the perspective of a true believer who helped build the system. This gives his critique a visceral, sociological weight.

Ownership via Control: He brilliantly redefines ownership. Even though the state "owns" the factories, the bureaucracy decides who works, who manages, and how the surplus is spent. Therefore, they are the functional owners of the national wealth.

The "Iron Law" of Bureaucracy: He explains how the revolutionary fervor inevitably calcifies into a self-preserving elite that is more interested in maintaining its own privileges (special shops, villas, power) than in the workers' welfare. Historical Significance

When published, the book was a bombshell. It was smuggled out of Yugoslavia while Djilas was in prison. It provided a theoretical framework for later movements, like the 1968 Prague Spring and the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union, by proving that the "proletarian" state had simply replaced one set of masters with another. Critical Considerations

Dense Prose: As a product of Marxist-Leninist education, Djilas’s writing is often heavy on dialectical terminology, which can be a slow read for those unfamiliar with socialist theory.

Specific Context: While his observations on bureaucracy remain relevant to modern corporate and state structures, the book is deeply rooted in the specific failures of mid-century Stalinism and Titoism.

Summary Verdict: It is essential reading for anyone trying to understand why 20th-century socialist experiments often resulted in totalitarianism rather than liberation.

You're looking for information on Milovan Djilas' concept of the "New Class"!

Here's a solid piece:

The New Class: A Study in the Power Structure of Modern Yugoslavia

Written by Milovan Djilas, a Yugoslav communist politician and theorist, in 1957, "The New Class" is a critical analysis of the rise of a new ruling class in socialist Yugoslavia. Djilas, who was a close associate of Josip Broz Tito, argues that a new bureaucratic class had emerged in Yugoslavia, which had supplanted the old bourgeoisie.

According to Djilas, this "New Class" was characterized by its control over the means of production, its privileged position within the party and state apparatus, and its increasingly parasitic relationship with the working class. He contended that this new elite had become isolated from the masses and had developed its own interests, which often conflicted with those of the working class.

Djilas' work was influenced by his disillusionment with the failures of socialist Yugoslavia to live up to its revolutionary ideals. He believed that the New Class had become a reactionary force, stifling social and economic progress, and that it was necessary to undertake radical reforms to re-establish a more egalitarian and democratic socialism.

Key points:

1. Critique of bureaucratic socialism: Djilas critiques the bureaucratic and authoritarian tendencies that had developed in socialist Yugoslavia, arguing that they were incompatible with the ideals of socialism.
2. The rise of the New Class: He identifies the emergence of a new ruling class, which had displaced the old bourgeoisie and had become the dominant force in Yugoslav society.
3. Privileges and power: Djilas highlights the privileges and power enjoyed by the New Class, including control over the economy, the media, and the party apparatus.
4. Alienation from the masses: He argues that the New Class had become isolated from the working class and had lost sight of the revolutionary ideals that had brought it to power.

Influence and relevance:

Djilas' work, "The New Class," has had a significant impact on socialist and communist thought, influencing critiques of bureaucratic socialism and the rise of dissident movements in Eastern Europe. His analysis remains relevant today, as it speaks to the ongoing challenges of building a more democratic and egalitarian society.

A Guide to Milovan Djilas' "The New Class"

Introduction

Milovan Djilas, a Yugoslavian communist politician and writer, published "The New Class" in 1957. This influential book critiques the rise of a new elite class within communist societies, particularly in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Djilas argues that this new class, comprising high-ranking party officials and bureaucrats, exploits its position to accumulate power and privilege, undermining the original ideals of socialism and communism.

Key Concepts

1. The New Class: Djilas defines the new class as a distinct social group that emerges in communist societies, characterized by its control over the means of production, distribution, and the party-state apparatus. This class accumulates power, privileges, and wealth, diverging from the original goals of socialism.
2. The Communist Party as a Ruling Class: Djilas contends that the communist party, initially intended to be a vanguard of the working class, evolves into a ruling class, primarily interested in maintaining its power and position.
3. The Bureaucracy: The author highlights the role of bureaucracy in maintaining the new class's power, arguing that an oversized and inefficient bureaucracy leads to a misallocation of resources and stagnation.
4. Thewithering Away of the State: Djilas references the Marxist concept of the state "withering away" but argues that, in communist societies, the state has actually grown stronger, with the new class exploiting its control over the state apparatus.

The Rise of the New Class

Djilas outlines the historical context in which the new class emerged:

1. The October Revolution: The 1917 Russian Revolution laid the groundwork for the rise of the new class, as the Bolshevik Party, led by Lenin, seized power.
2. Stalin's Consolidation of Power: After Lenin's death, Stalin systematically eliminated potential rivals and entrenched his control over the party and state.
3. The elimination of opposition: The new class crushed any opposition, including other socialist and communist factions, to solidify its power.

Characteristics of the New Class

Djilas describes the new class as having several key characteristics:

1. Privileges and wealth: Members of the new class enjoy privileged access to goods, services, and wealth, setting them apart from the general population.
2. Control over information: The new class exercises significant control over the media, education, and cultural institutions, shaping public opinion and suppressing dissent.
3. Security and police powers: The new class maintains a powerful security apparatus, using it to suppress opposition and dissent.

Consequences and Critique

Djilas critiques the new class for:

1. Betraying socialist ideals: The new class has subverted the original goals of socialism, prioritizing its own interests over those of the working class.
2. Economic stagnation: The concentration of power and control leads to economic stagnation, as resources are misallocated and innovation is stifled.

Impact and Legacy

"The New Class" has had a significant impact on the critique of communist and socialist systems:

1. Influence on dissident movements: Djilas' work inspired dissident movements within communist countries, particularly in Eastern Europe.
2. Critique of Soviet-style communism: The book provided a critical analysis of Soviet-style communism, influencing Western understanding of communist systems.

Conclusion

Milovan Djilas' "The New Class" provides a critical analysis of the rise of a new elite class within communist societies. The book highlights the contradictions between the original ideals of socialism and the realities of communist systems, where a powerful new class accumulates wealth, privilege, and control. As a critique of communist systems, "The New Class" remains a significant work in understanding the shortcomings of Soviet-style communism.

Milovan Djilas The New Class Nova Klasa is a landmark political work published in 1957 that provided the first internal critique of the communist system by a high-ranking official. Writing from a Yugoslav prison, Djilas argued that despite the promise of a classless society, communist revolutions actually gave birth to a "new class" of political bureaucrats. Core Thesis: The Rise of the Bureaucratic Elite

Djilas's central argument is that the abolition of private property did not end class exploitation; instead, it transferred ownership from private capitalists to the state, which was then "owned" and exploited by a new administrative elite. Definition of the "New Class"

: This group consists of party officials, government bureaucrats, and military leaders. They derive their power and privileges not from personal wealth, but from their monopoly over political authority and the administration of nationalized property. The Power Mechanism

: Unlike historical ruling classes, the new class maintains dominance through institutional structures like party bureaus and economic planning bodies, operating without genuine accountability to the public. Betrayal of Ideals

: Djilas contended that while early revolutionaries were often idealistic heroes, their successors became "self-centered cowards" willing to sacrifice everything—honor, name, and truth—to maintain their place in the hierarchy. Detailed Analysis of the Communist System

The book offers a detached and lucid critique of the system's various facets: