Milovan Djilas Nova Klasa.pdf Site
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.
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." Milovan Djilas Nova Klasa.pdf
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.
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." However, because the party controls the state, the
To understand the magnitude of this book, one must understand the author. Milovan Đilas was not a Western critic looking in; he was a true insider. He was a Vice-President of Yugoslavia under Tito, a dedicated communist revolutionary who fought against the Nazis, and a man who helped orchestrate the Yugoslav revolution.
The New Class is the book that got him imprisoned. Published in the West in 1957 while he was still a high-ranking official, it represents the first thorough, systematic dismantling of the Communist system by one of its own architects. It remains one of the most important political texts of the 20th century. For students of modern China
The book is a cornerstone of libertarian theory. It provides empirical evidence for the "Iron Law of Oligarchy"—that every organization, regardless of its stated goals, will eventually be ruled by a self-serving elite. Consequently, Nova Klasa is heavily cited in Modern Monetary Theory debates, Austrian Economics essays, and crypto-political manifestos.
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.
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).
