The New Class
Milovan Đilas
About this book
Milovan Đilas's "The New Class" critiques the rise of a bureaucratic elite in socialist societies, arguing that a new ruling class has emerged that is distinct from the working class it claims to represent. The book explores the dynamics of power, privilege, and corruption within communist regimes, emphasizing how the interests of this new class often conflict with the ideals of socialism. Đilas draws on his experiences in Yugoslavia to illustrate the ways in which political systems can lead to the entrenchment of a privileged elite, ultimately undermining the revolutionary goals of equality and justice. Through his analysis, he raises important questions about the nature of power and the challenges of achieving true democracy.
Why it was banned
In 1957, "The New Class" by Milovan Đilas was banned by the Yugoslav government due to its political content, specifically its critique of the communist party bureaucracy as a new privileged class. Đilas faced trial and imprisonment for writing the book, which was published in the United States and circulated clandestinely in Yugoslavia. The ban reflected the regime's intolerance for dissenting views that challenged the ideals of socialism.
Censorship history
In 1957, "The New Class" was banned in Yugoslavia at the national level due to its critical examination of the communist party bureaucracy, which Đilas argued had become a new privileged class. The Yugoslav government deemed the book's political content a threat, leading to Đilas's trial and imprisonment for his writings. Despite the ban, the book was circulated clandestinely within the country, highlighting the tensions between state authority and dissenting voices.
Bans
| Country | Year | Reasons | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yugoslavia | 1957lifted | Political | ||
| Banned in Yugoslavia for its critique of the communist party bureaucracy as a new privileged class. Published in the United States, it was circulated clandestinely in Yugoslavia. Đilas was tried and imprisoned for writing it. | ||||