The New Class: An Analysis of the Communist System

The New Class: An Analysis of the Communist System presents a critical examination of communist power structures by former Yugoslav politician Milovan Đilas. Written from his firsthand experience as a high-ranking communist official, the book analyzes how party bureaucrats evolved into a privileged ruling class. The text outlines how communist party officials gained control of nationalized property and resources, creating a system of privileges that contradicted Marxist ideals of classless society. Đilas documents the transformation of revolutionary movements into rigid bureaucratic hierarchies. The work examines the historical development of communism in key nations like Russia, China, and Yugoslavia, analyzing how initial revolutionary ideals were replaced by new forms of social stratification and control. This influential critique of communist systems explores universal themes about power, bureaucracy, and the corruption of revolutionary movements. The book raises fundamental questions about whether any revolution can avoid creating new forms of hierarchy and privilege.

Readers highlight the book's analysis of how Communist party bureaucrats formed a privileged ruling class that contradicted Marxist principles. Many note its value as a firsthand account from someone who held high positions in Yugoslavia's government. Liked: - Clear explanation of how power structures evolved in Communist systems - Detailed examples from Yugoslavia and other Eastern European states - Strong theoretical framework backed by personal observations Disliked: - Dense academic writing style that can be difficult to follow - Some sections are repetitive - Limited coverage of solutions or alternatives Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (243 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (31 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Provides crucial insights into how revolutionary movements transform into new hierarchies" - Goodreads reviewer "The academic language makes important points less accessible than they could be" - Amazon reviewer "His insider perspective gives the analysis unique credibility" - LibraryThing reviewer

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The Captive Mind by Czesław Miłosz This study explores how intellectuals under communist rule rationalize their submission to the system and participate in its perpetuation.

The Revolution Betrayed by Leon Trotsky The book presents an insider's critique of how the Soviet bureaucracy transformed the workers' state into a system of privileged administrators.

The God That Failed by Richard Crossman (Editor) Six essays by former communist writers describe their journey from initial belief in communism to subsequent disillusionment with the system.

1. ✦ Đilas wrote this influential work while imprisoned in Yugoslavia during 1957, smuggling the manuscript out piece by piece with the help of his wife. 2. ✦ The book's publication in 1957 made Đilas one of the first prominent Communist leaders to publicly break with Stalinism and critique the system from an insider's perspective. 3. ✦ Prior to writing the book, Đilas served as Vice President of Yugoslavia and was considered a potential successor to Tito before his fall from power in 1954. 4. ✦ The concept of the "New Class" introduced in this book has influenced political theory beyond Communist studies, being applied to analyses of bureaucracies in various political systems. 5. ✦ The book was banned in Yugoslavia and most Communist countries but became a bestseller in the West, translated into over 40 languages and helping shape Cold War understanding of Communist systems.