Djilas argues that the communist elite is not merely a political group but a new form of ownership class. In traditional capitalism, property is owned individually; in communist systems, property is "nationalized," but the new class—composed of party officials and technocrats—collectively "uses, enjoys, and disposes" of this property as if it were their own. Key Arguments in "The New Class" The Paradox of Equality
: Djilas asserts that this class is the most "class-conscious" in history but also the most self-deluded, as it maintains its power under the guise of "socialist phraseology" and egalitarian ideals. Administrative Monopoly milovan djilas nova klasa pdf 86
: The power of this class stems from its administrative monopoly over the economy and ideology. Because it cannot allow any breach of its total authority, the system is inherently despotic. Industrialization as a Tool Djilas argues that the communist elite is not
, is a foundational text of Cold War political theory, written while the author was imprisoned in Tito’s Yugoslavia. Its central thesis is that communist revolutions, while promising a classless society, actually create a "new class" of political bureaucrats who hold a total monopoly over property and power. Core Thesis: The Bureaucracy as a Ruling Class Administrative Monopoly : The power of this class