Milovan Djilas Nova Klasapdf «2026»

The Concept of the New Class: Understanding Milovan Đilas' Critique of Communist Elites

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. milovan djilas nova klasapdf

Reception and Impact

• In the West – Became an instant classic of anti-communist literature, widely used in Cold War political science and history courses.
• In the Eastern Bloc – Banned; Djilas was further persecuted.
• Later scholarship – Influenced theories of “state capitalism,” “bureaucratic collectivism,” and “new class” theories (e.g., by Alvin Gouldner, Barbara Ehrenreich).

Privilege through Position: Wealth is not inherited but derived from one's rank within the Party hierarchy. The Concept of the New Class: Understanding Milovan

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 In the West – Became an instant classic

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

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.