The New Class: Milovan Djilas's Definitive Critique of Communist Bureaucracy
In 1957, a manuscript smuggled out of a Yugoslav prison arrived in New York, destined to become one of the most influential political documents of the 20th century. Milovan Djilas, once the heir apparent to Josip Broz Tito, published The New Class: An Analysis of the Communist System (Nova Klasa). It was the first time a high-ranking Communist official provided a systematic Marxist critique of why the revolution had failed to deliver a classless society. The Core Thesis: A New Form of Ownership
The central argument of The New Class is that Communist revolutions, though conducted in the name of abolishing classes, inadvertently created a new ruling elite. The New Class: An Analysis of the Communist System
I notice you’ve referenced a PDF file name, "Milovan Djilas Nova Klasa.pdf" , which corresponds to Milovan Djilas’s famous work Nova klasa (English: The New Class). However, I cannot directly access or open files on your device or elsewhere.
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Djilas argues that the party is not a tool of the class; the class is the party. There is no distinction. He writes that the party "makes itself the owner of the means of production."
1. The "New Class" The central thesis of the book is that the Communist Party bureaucracy constitutes a distinct, exploiting class. Djilas argues that while the system claims to act on behalf of the proletariat, the party elite (the "New Class") enjoys special privileges, controls national resources, and exploits the working class just as the bourgeoisie did under capitalism.
2. The Nature of Ownership Djilas redefines the concept of ownership in a communist state. He argues that the "New Class" does not own property legally, as the state owns the means of production. However, because the party controls the state, the party bureaucracy collectively possesses the wealth. They derive their power and luxury from administrative control rather than legal ownership. The New Class: Milovan Djilas's Definitive Critique of
3. Bureaucratic Tyranny Djilas describes the New Class as a specific type of bureaucratic elite. He argues that this class is more oppressive than previous ruling classes because it monopolizes not just the economy, but all aspects of life, including ideology, culture, and education. He famously describes the Communist Party as "the greatest parasite in history."
4. Historical Materialism and Dogma The book critiques the Marxist-Leninist dogma, suggesting that the philosophy was used merely as a tool to gain power. Once in power, the "New Class" became conservative, using the ideology to justify its continued dominance and suppress dissent. Djilas argues that the system inevitably leads to stagnation because the bureaucracy prioritizes its own survival over the needs of the people.
If you are a student or researcher looking for a legitimate digital copy, you have several options. Important note: Nova Klasa is still under copyright in many jurisdictions (Harcourt Brace holds rights, and the Djilas estate is managed by his family). You should always respect copyright law.
Is Djilas still relevant in the age of tech billionaires and social media? Surprisingly, yes. Sociologists have adapted Djilas’ concept to describe not just communist states, but Western corporatism. Summary of the book’s main arguments Critical analysis
Consider the "Managerial Class"—CEOs who do not own the company (shareholders do) but control salaries and strategy. Or consider the "Political Consultant Class" in Washington D.C. and Brussels—people who have never been elected but control the flow of information and legislation. Djilas' warning was universal: Every power structure creates a ruling class.
For students of modern China, Djilas is a forbidden fruit. While the Chinese Communist Party officially denounced his theory, Chinese scholars study it privately to understand the "cadre-capitalist" phenomenon. In Russia, the term Nova Klasa is used to describe Putin's Siloviki (security service elites).
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