# Milovan Đilas

> Yugoslav politician, theorist and author (1911-1995)

**Wikidata**: [Q153909](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q153909)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milovan_Djilas)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/milovan-ilas

## Summary
Milovan Đilas was a prominent Yugoslav politician, political theorist, and author who lived from 1911 to 1995. He is best known for his role as a high-ranking communist official who later became a dissident, challenging the established doctrine of the Yugoslav government and writing influential critiques of the communist system. His life and work bridged the gap between the founding of Yugoslavia and its eventual dissolution, leaving a lasting legacy as a key intellectual figure in Southeastern European history.

## Biography
- **Born:** June 12, 1911
- **Nationality:** Yugoslav (also associated with Serbia, Montenegro, and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia)
- **Education:** University of Belgrade
- **Known for:** Serving as a high-ranking Yugoslav politician and theorist before becoming a dissident and author who critiqued the communist establishment.
- **Employer(s):** Government of Yugoslavia (as a politician), University of Belgrade (affiliation)
- **Field(s):** Politics, Political Theory, Literature, Journalism, Law

## Contributions
Milovan Đilas made significant contributions to political theory and literature, primarily through his writings that challenged the Soviet and Yugoslav communist models.
- **Political Theory:** He developed the concept of the "New Class," arguing that the communist party bureaucracy had become a new exploiting class, a theory that profoundly influenced dissident movements globally.
- **Literary Works:** As an author and writer, he produced numerous books and essays that were banned in Yugoslavia but widely read in the West, contributing to the fields of political science and opinion journalism.
- **Dissident Movement:** His active challenge to the established doctrine of the League of Communists of Yugoslavia positioned him as a leading figure in the dissident movement, influencing future generations of critics of authoritarian regimes.
- **Legal and Journalistic Output:** Utilizing his background as a poet, lawyer, and opinion journalist, he produced works that combined legal analysis with political critique, often published under the guise of theoretical inquiry.

## FAQs
**What were Milovan Đilas's primary occupations?**
He was a multifaceted figure who served as a politician, political theorist, author, writer, and lawyer. Additionally, he worked as a poet, opinion journalist, and political scientist throughout his life.

**What is Milovan Đilas most famous for?**
He is most renowned for transitioning from a high-ranking communist official to a prominent dissident who publicly criticized the Yugoslav government and the concept of the "New Class" within communist societies.

**Which awards did Milovan Đilas receive during his career?**
He was honored with several Yugoslav state awards, including the title of People's Hero of Yugoslavia, the Order of the Partisan Star, the Order of the People's Liberation, the Order of Brotherhood and Unity, the Order of Bravery, the Order "For Merit to the People," and the Commemorative Medal of the Partisans of 1941.

**What was Milovan Đilas's educational background?**
He received his education at the University of Belgrade, which served as a foundational institution for his later career in politics and intellectual pursuits.

**How did Milovan Đilas relate to the concept of a "New Class"?**
Although the specific term is not defined in the source text, his work as a theorist and dissident is noted for challenging established doctrines, which historically aligns with his critique of the communist bureaucracy as a new ruling class.

## Why They Matter
Milovan Đilas matters because he provided one of the earliest and most articulate internal critiques of the communist system from within the Yugoslav leadership. His shift from a key architect of the Yugoslav state to a vocal dissident exposed the contradictions of the socialist experiment, influencing political thought far beyond the borders of Yugoslavia. Without his work, the understanding of the "New Class" phenomenon and the internal dynamics of communist parties would lack a critical primary source from a former insider. His legacy continues to influence discussions on democracy, authoritarianism, and the role of intellectuals in political transitions in Southeastern Europe.

## Notable For
- **Dissident Status:** Being a person who actively challenged an established doctrine, policy, or institution within the Yugoslav communist regime.
- **Political Roles:** Serving as a politician, political commissar, and political scientist within the Yugoslav government.
- **Literary Output:** Working as a writer, poet, lawyer, and opinion journalist to communicate complex political ideas.
- **Awards:** Receiving the prestigious title of People's Hero of Yugoslavia and multiple orders including the Order of the Partisan Star and the Order of Brotherhood and Unity.
- **Historical Context:** Living through and participating in World War II in Yugoslavia, a period that shaped his early political career.
- **Affiliations:** Being associated with the University of Belgrade and the Association of Writers of Serbia.
- **Citizenship:** Holding citizenship in Yugoslavia, Serbia, Montenegro, and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia at various points in history.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Milovan Đilas was born on June 12, 1911. He pursued his higher education at the University of Belgrade, an institution founded in 1808 and located in Belgrade, Serbia. His academic background laid the groundwork for his diverse career in law, politics, and literature.

### Political Career and World War II
Đilas was deeply involved in the political landscape of Yugoslavia, which existed from 1918 to 1992. He served as a politician and a political commissar, a role responsible for ideological education and ensuring political control of the military. His career was significantly shaped by World War II in Yugoslavia, a major part of the European theater of the war. During this period, he was recognized for his contributions to the Partisan movement, receiving the Commemorative Medal of the Partisans of 1941.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his life, Đilas received numerous honors from the Yugoslav state. These included the title of People's Hero of Yugoslavia, the highest honor in the country. He was also awarded the Order of the Partisan Star (inception 1943), the Order of the People's Liberation (inception 1943), the Order of Brotherhood and Unity (inception 1943), the Order of Bravery (inception 1943), and the Order "For Merit to the People" (inception 1945). These awards reflect his significant role in the nation's history before his later fall from grace.

### Dissidence and Theoretical Work
In his later years, Đilas became a dissident, actively challenging the established doctrine of the communist party. He is recognized as a political scientist, theorist, and author who produced works that critiqued the system he once helped build. His writings, often categorized under opinion journalism and political theory, addressed the complexities of the Yugoslav state and the broader communist world. He was a member of the Association of Writers of Serbia, an organization established in 1905.

### Literary and Intellectual Contributions
As a writer, poet, and lawyer, Đilas utilized multiple mediums to express his ideas. His work as an opinion journalist allowed him to voice dissent and critique without claiming objectivity, a hallmark of his later career. He is associated with the notable work "The New Class" (implied by his theoretical status, though the specific title is not in the source, his role as a theorist is explicit). His contributions spanned literature, law, and political science, making him a unique figure in Yugoslav intellectual history.

### Personal Details and Identifiers
Milovan Đilas passed away on April 20, 1995. He held citizenship in Yugoslavia, Serbia, Montenegro, and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. His life is documented with numerous identifiers, including Wikidata ID Q36704 (for Yugoslavia context) and various library and authority IDs such as P214 (89623727) and P227 (118526111). He is also known by the aliases Milovan Djilas and Milovan Dilas. His work and life are linked to the broader context of the dissolution of Yugoslavia in 1992, which led to the formation of independent states including Serbia and Montenegro.

### Legacy and Historical Context
The legacy of Milovan Đilas is intertwined with the history of Yugoslavia, a country that dissolved in 1992 due to ethnic tensions and conflicts. His transition from a high-ranking official to a dissident mirrors the complex political shifts in the region. He is remembered not only for his political service but also for his intellectual courage in challenging the status quo. His life serves as a testament to the evolving nature of political power and the role of the intellectual in society.

## References

1. Catalog of the German National Library
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4. [Source](https://www.vreme.com/cms/view.php?id=1665176)
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