No Topic Necessary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

No Topic Necessary - Essay Example Apparently, the story of Buddha in the myth is intertwined with other deities, especially Christianity (Campbell, 30). These other deities are seen as being weak and temporary as opposed to Buddhism which remains immovable even in the future. Actually, the writer emphasizes the superiority of Buddhism in Oriental antiquity as compared to other deities. In today’s society, comparisons between religious deities and implications of ancient spiritual narratives remain influential. More often, these comparisons are divisive in nature. In the Hero’s story, the hero asserts that Buddha is immovable and superior in the presence of other deities (Campbell, 35). In today’s society, the spiritual heroism of Moses in the Old Testament remains the central narrative in the Jewish religion. Personally, I agree that Moses transformed into a heavenly level when he encountered God around the burning bush at Mont Sinai. Prescription of the Ten Commandments sealed God’s covenant with the Israelites in a similar manner that Gautama linked Buddhists with Buddha. In this context, the spiritual experience of Moses in the Old Testament, which is influential in today’s Jewish and Christian religions, is synonymous to the spiritual adventure of Gautama Sakyamuni in the

Management Change Excercise Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Management Change Excercise - Research Paper Example The steps include creation of urgency, development of powerful coalition, creation of a change vision, communication of the change vision, eradication of obstacles, creation of short-term success goals, building on the change, and integration of change into the corporate culture of the organization (Mind Tools, 2012).The first step in the process of change management requires the organizational leaders to convince the organizational personnel that a certain change needs to be there on urgent basis because of certain reasons (Coutts, 2000). If this action is not taken, people would underestimate the need of change. In the second step, the organizational leaders need to develop a team which facilitates gaining of people’s consent for change implementation. If this action is not taken, much more effort would be required to convince individuals because they would be scattered and not members of the same team. In the third step, the leader needs to develop a relation between change and a big vision in order to make it easier for the followers to realize what is happening. If this action is not taken, followers would have subjective idea of what is happening. In the fourth step, measures need to be taken to quickly communicate the change and spread the vision. If this action is not taken, there would not be uniformity of approach due to lack of information in certain followers. In the fifth step, the leader needs to recognize the barriers in the way of implementation of change and do whatever is required to remove them. If this action is not taken, the change process is likely to be interrupted along the way. In the sixth step, the leader should appreciate together with the followers the achievement of intermediary goals. If this action is not taken, followers might lose interest as there is little realization of achievement of preliminary goals. In the seventh step, the leader should emphasize upon a need for the followers to continue working in the same dire ction so that the achievement of preliminary goals leads to the attainment of the ultimate goal. If this action is not taken, followers might become over-confident and not do the needful. In the eighth step, the followers need to be motivated to constantly review the change process and keep modifying it to attain optimal results. If this action is not taken, the change may not bring the desired results. Each of the eight steps included in the Kotter’s model is essentially an action that requires a complete strategy to be taken effectively. Implementation of change and its management as suggested by Kotter requires sound management skills in an individual. As a manager, I have good oratory skills and thus, can convince people or for the least, present my opinion in an apprehensible manner. I am good at taking actions pertaining to all the steps of Kotter’s eight step model generally. However, I need a little improvement in the fourth, seventh and eighth step. This is be cause of the fact that I am a little careless due to which, I might not be able to make sure that the process of change is communicated to all of the organizational personnel. This requires a bit of organization on my part. I find it difficult to recollect myself if the continuity in a process is broken. So after the sixth step, in which I as a manager would celebrate preliminary goals with the organizational personnel, it might be difficult for me to develop the focus again to make sure that

How to write a job application

How to write a job application After completing your studies, when you decide to take up a job in a particular industry depending on your skills and qualifications, the first thing that you will be required to do is to write an application for a job. But getting a job that suits you would take more than sending out a few application letters. First of all, you need to find out what skills you have to offer and what your expectations are from your work. Then on the basis of this, you can identify the employers that may be in search of a person with skills that you possess and that also fit the job profile that you are looking for. The letter of application is also called the letter of transmittal. It is written when you get to know of a specific job opening and you want to apply for it directly. It is always accompanied by a resume/CV. Thus, the letter of job application can be divided into two parts: a) Covering Letter and b) Resume/Curriculum Vitae (i.e. CV). The cover letter should introduce you and should give further details about certain qualifications and skills that may not be apparent from your resume. So ideally, a resume should always be sent along with a covering letter. Remember, you should mention only the qualifications, skills and experience that are relevant to the job that your are applying for. DRAFTING AN APPLICATION LETTER A letter of application is your very first communication with the prospective employer. He will form his first impression about you from your application letter. That is why it is very essential that your application letter should be neat, well-structured and should provide all the necessary information at a glance. What you basically set out to do in your application letter is to sell your skills and services. Thus, your application letter is a form of advertising. And the key feature of effective advertising is that it should be persuasive. An application letter therefore is also some kind of a sales letter. It should project your skills keeping in mind the employers and a particular jobs requirement. This kind of job analysis and self-appraisal will help you to identify which jobs suit you and where you should not apply. For example, if it is specifically mentioned in the advertisement for the post of schoolteachers that the school requires someone with minimum three years of teac hing experience and you have just graduated, then there is no point in applying for this post as you will be found ineligible. Again, if a company requires a smart, young receptionist with good communication and people skills and you are someone who is of reserved and laidback nature, then you should not apply for it. Before drafting an application letter, you must ask yourself these questions- 1. What sort of qualifications and experience are needed for this particular job? 2. Do I have the required skills and experience? 3. Am I suitable for this job? How? Once you have answered these questions, the next step is to narrow down your focus on the qualities and skills that the employer is looking for and to highlight those in your application letter. This does not mean that you make exaggerated claims. You should be honest, sincere and modest. If you possess the required qualifications, skills and experience, then only you should apply for a particular job. And you should provide necessary documents for verification of your declarations. Job application letter is an interesting blend of the features of a personal letter and a sales letter. Therefore, it should reflect your creativity and also your personal style. So as an applicant/writer, just be yourself and also a little businesslike in your approach. The main object of an application letter is to get you an interview. Therefore, it is essential that your letter should stimulate the employers interest in your skills and accomplishments and it should give him a clear idea about how you can satisfy the organisations needs. You should project your skills with confidence and this is possible only when you believe in yourself and your capabilities. TYPES OF APPLICATION LETTERS There are two types of application letters: a) solicited application letters and b) unsolicited application letters. Solicited application letters are those that are sent in response to job advertisements, whereas unsolicited application letters (also known as prospecting letters) are written at the applicants initiative. This is the fundamental theoretical difference between the two. In the first one, you write directly for the post advertised. In the latter one, you acquaint the prospective employer with the qualifications and skills that you possess and leave it to him to identify whether your profile is suitable for any of the positions in his organization and whether he should consider you for the same. But in practice, there is hardly any difference between the structure and the content of both these types of letters. Whether writing a solicited or an unsolicited application letter, the applicant has to mention his personal details, qualifications, skills and experience that ar e relevant to the job. Besides, the letters of application can also be framed in two different ways: All the information about the applicants qualifications, experience and personal details can be included in one comprehensive letter. OR The application letter can be divided into two parts. The first part is the covering letter which refers to the advertisement in response to which you are applying and in it you also highlight your most relevant and significant skills and qualifications for the advertised post. The second part is the resume which lists all the necessary personal and educational information in an easy-to-read format. The layout b) is the widely preferred and the most effective format as it gives the applicant an opportunity to display his skills and personality in an attention-grabbing and succinct manner thus generating the employers interest in his resume and getting him to read it in the first place. ESSENTIALS OF A GOOD COVERING LETTER The covering letter has one purpose- to attract the attention and sustain the interest of your prospective employer in your resume and thus get him to call you for a job interview. Therefore, your covering letter is not just a simple note that forwards an enclosure i.e. your resume and other relevant documents. Rather, it is a selling-piece. It should have the qualities of an effective sales letter. Besides, in your job application letter, you must focus on- The job requirements as specified by the employer- qualifications, skills, experience The special qualities you possess that will make you stand out from the rest (for an announced job opening, you will have to compete with hundreds of other job seekers) Your knowledge about the organization Your communication skills, problem-solving ability, people skills, etc. An effective covering letter should have the following features: It should be informative and to the point. The tone of the letter should be friendly but avoid being too casual or informal. Keep the covering letter to a single page, three paragraphs is ideal. Do not use the same covering letter while applying at different places. The style and layout is very important. Avoid grammatical and spelling errors. Use good quality paper and printing. Take care not to crumple the edges or stain the paper. Your letter should not appear overloaded with information. Leave enough white space, so that it looks appealing to the eye. The covering letter is a kind of persuasive, goodwill message. Show genuine interest in the organization and a keen interest in the position that you are seeking. Omit personal information that is not relevant to the job. Edit the letter carefully to make sure that there are no errors. FORMAT AND CONTENTS OF AN APPLICATION LETTER An application letter may be written in two formats: the complete block format (the latest and better preferred American format) or the semi-block format (the traditional British format). In the complete block format (also known as the full block format), every line is left-aligned i.e. it starts at the left margin. And nothing is indented. Whereas, in the semi-block format, the senders address, date and the complimentary close are indented. Even the paragraphs may be indented. An application letter has the following parts: The Senders Address and the Date In the semi-block format, these are written at the top right corner of the letter. Whereas, in the complete block format, the senders address and date are written at the top left corner of the letter. The date should be written in the American format (mm/dd/yy i.e. July 30, 2010) if you are writing in the complete block style and in the British format (dd/mm/yy i.e. 30 July, 2010) if you are using the semi-block layout. Leave one space between the address and the date. Also, the applicants address and date should be written in open punctuation (i.e. no punctuation). Example: Closed Punctuation Open Punctuation Divya Shah(,) Divya Shah 305, Clover Garden Society(,) 305, Clover Garden Society Alkapuri(,) Alkapuri Vadodara(.) Vadodara July 30, 2010(.) July 30, 2010 (Or) (Or) 30 July, 2010(.) 30 July, 2010 The Inside Address The inside address or the receivers/employers address should also be written in open punctuation. It should be one or two spaces below the date. It should always be left-aligned. If it is a solicited application, the inside address will begin with the designation and not the name of the person to whom it is to be addressed. Example: (To) (To) The Manager The Personnel Manager Aditya Birla Group OR Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd New Delhi Baroda If the name of the person to whom the application is to be addressed or the identification of the advertiser is not disclosed in the job advertisement and if only the post box or a newspaper box number to which the application is to be sent is given, then the inside address will be written as: (To) (To) The Advertiser The Advertiser Post Box No. 2509 OR Box No. 2203 Vadodara- 390004 The Times of India Ahmedabad- 380001 If it is an unsolicited application, then the letter should be addressed to the concerned person/officer. Example- The Employment Officer/ The Accounts Officer/ The Manager/ The Dean/ The Principal etc. Subject and Reference Leave one or two spaces after the inside address and state in one line the purpose of the application letter (i.e. the Subject). Leave one more space and write the Reference i.e. if someone has referred you for the post, then you may mention his/her name and designation. Writing the reference is optional. The Salutation Dear Sir is the most common salutation used in application letters. But you may try some of the following ways to open a letter depending on the context in which you are communicating. However, you should be careful in selecting an appropriate salutation. Context Salutation 1. Addressing someone in a company Dear Sir/Madam 2. Addressing a man whose name Dear Sir you do not know 3. Addressing a woman whose name Dear Madam you do not know 4. Informal way of addressing a man Dear Mr. Parekh 5. Informal way of addressing a woman Dear Ms. Dixit Remember, it is inappropriate and impolite to use the first name of a person in the salutation. For instance, Dear Ms. Deepa. Also, first names are never preceded by a title (Mr. Siddharth or Ms. Nirmita). The Body of the Letter It is often divided into three parts: The Opening/Introductory Paragraph It gives details about why you are writing the application letter and which position or type of work you are seeking. It also makes clear whether it is a solicited application or an unsolicited one. The opening paragraph should catch the readers attention and create interest in your resume. In a solicited letter, you may use a simple opening as you have been invited to apply and your focus therefore is not so much on capturing the readers attention. You may open your letter in one of the following ways: Summary opening- Mention your most relevant qualifications and/or experience and explain how it can benefit the organization. Example: With my three years experience as the Assistant Advertising Manager at Mudra Communication Pvt. Ltd., I feel confident that I can ably perform the duties of an Advertising Manager, the post announced by you in The Hindustan Times datedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Name opening- Mention the name of the person (if he is known to the reader) who has suggested that you apply for the job. Example: Professor Kulkarni informed me of a job opening for the post of Assistant Professor in your institution. My qualifications and experience suit the eligibility criteria and I would be glad if you find my profile suitable for the post and consider me for the same. I would indeed be very fortunate if I get an opportunity to be associated with your reputed college. Source opening- Make a reference to the newspaper in which the job advertisement was published. Briefly explain how you possess the necessary skills, qualifications and experience that suit the requirements of the target position. Example: With reference to your advertisement in The Times of India dated 25 July, 2010, I hereby apply for the post of Sales Executive. Or I wish to apply for the post of Marketing Manager advertised by you in The Hindu of 27 February, 2010. Or I request you to consider favourably my qualifications for the position of Legal Adviser in your firm advertised in The Indian Express dated Question opening- Begin with an attention-seeking question that targets the organisations problem, need or goal and describe how you can help in fulfilling it. News opening- Mention some organizational achievement, goal, etc. which was made public and express your desire to work for the organization because of it and for it. Personalized opening- Mention your relevant interests or previous experiences or your present position or profile and start discussing why you are eager to work with the organization. The Middle Paragraph It gives specific examples of why you are perfect for the job. With an effective introductory paragraph, half the work is done as you will have already succeeded in exciting the employers interest. The next step is to show how you are the one that he is looking for. For this, you should explain in detail the important points that you mentioned in the opening paragraph. Give evidence in support of your claims of ability. Avoid exaggerating. Take care not to repeat the points already mentioned in the opening paragraph or the resume. Include relevant details that could not be accommodated in the resume. The middle paragraph/s of the application letter should focus mainly on convincing the reader that you are the best choice for the post advertised. You can do this not by listing the academic degrees that you have earned but by highlighting how your education has equipped you for the work that you seek. Show how you are updated not only about your area of specialization but are also aware of the latest in the other allied areas. If you have handled different job profiles while working part-time, explain what you have learnt from it and how it has made you capable at adapting to different work environments. Also, mention the various job-related activities, interests and qualities that you possess. Sum up by referring the reader to the enclosed resume for further details. The Closing/Concluding Paragraph In the last paragraph, make a subtle suggestion to your prospective employer to act i.e. to grant you an interview. Do not demand it. Do not use sloppy words to gain the readers sympathy. Avoid closing lines like- Given an opportunity to serve in your esteemed company, I assure you the best of my servicesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Please be kind enough to give me an opportunity to serve in your reputed institutionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Be simple and direct in asking for an interview. Heres how you can do it effectively- I hope to hear from you soon. I will be glad/grateful if my application for the said post is considered favourably. I hope that my qualifications would merit your consideration. Looking forward to a favourable response. May I look forward to an interview with you at your convenience? Close the letter by stating your phone number and specify the best time to reach you. You may also include your email address on which you may be contacted. The Complimentary Close and the Signature Line The complimentary close is placed two spaces below the last line of the body of the letter. Some of the most commonly used complimentary closes include Thank you, Yours faithfully, Sincerely, Best regards, Respectfully, Best wishes, Yours truly, Warm regards, Sincerely yours, With many thanks, etc. The complimentary close begins with a capital letter and ends with a comma. Leave four spaces between the complimentary close and the Signature Line (i.e. the writers name) for a signature. The writers title or designation should be typed directly below the name. The signature should ideally be in blue or black ink. Example: Yours sincerely, (Sign here) Ramakanta Das Managing Director Saint Gobain Industries Hyderabad Enclosures List the number and nature of the documents that you are sending along with the letter of application. If the list is too long, attach a separate sheet. Leave two or three spaces after the signature line and write- Encl. See list attached.

Hittite’s Self-Image Characterized by Grandeur :: Hittite Culture Cultural History Essays

Hittite’s Self-Image Characterized by Grandeur The Hittite empire, like many others of the Bronze Age, arose at a time when new tactics and implements for fighting were being developed in abundance. Like many other empires of that time, the Hittites recognized the importance of protecting their lands and acquiring new ones. As the size and influence of the Hittite empire grew, it sometimes formed peaceful agreements with foreign lands. These agreements, however, primarily served their own interests. Evidence of the behavior of the Hittites found in primary documents reveals that they treated civilizations other than their own as their inferiors. Religion was central to the Hittite’s culture and they considered their devotion to it to be one of their primary strengths. The upkeep of Hittite religious institutions and their functionaries was a primary obligation of the commander of the Hittite border guards. A document containing instructions for that commander explains these responsibilities: â€Å"In the town through which the commander [passes]†¦ he shall attend to the necessary provisions for town-elders, priests, ‘anointed’ (and) mothers-of-god.† (par. 1) It was important to the Hittite king (also called the Sun) that all cities in the empire contain adequate sites for worship of the Hittite gods. This suggests that they believed paying tribute to the gods ensured them some sort of security or protection. In that same document it was stated, â€Å"The commander of the border guards shall make an inventory of the god’s utensils and send it before the Sun.† (par. 3) ‘Utensils’ probably refers to the possessions of the gods, perhaps including their temples, servants, and any commodities held in their name. A list of them was most likely held by the king so that what the Hittites had given to their gods was on record. The magnitude of religion in this civilization and the closeness of it to the military reveal that the favor of and protection from its gods gave its people a perceived power and authority that other civilizations lacked. Religion was also directly connected to imperial Hittite rule through the king. In a treaty between Mursilis, Sun of the Hittites, and Duppi-Tessub, king of Amurru, the preamble mentions that Mursilis was the â€Å"favorite of the Storm-god.

Old Story Time

The story Emma based from the book â€Å"A World of Prose† and published by the author Carolyn Cole is about a woman named Emma who is a very beautiful lady of leisure, she has stepped down from an active social life after giving birth to Dorian in order to spend more time with her daughter Maria. Her husband Jack is a notorious cheater and he is not faithful to Emma. The setting of the story occurs in three places the York Residence, an unknown mall and at the old train station where the death of Emma took place.In the first setting of the story which takes place at the York Residence shows the two friends Maria and Dorian doing activities such as chatting about Dory’s Mother Emma, playing adult games and the support of each other. The moods and the themes displayed in that setting of the story is called Innocence which is epitomized by Dorian, the story is told from her perspective therefore we get a view of the innocence behind her misunderstanding of adult conversat ions and situations.Friendship which is shown in the friendship between Dorian and Maria, which is characterized by playing adult games. In the second setting which takes place at the unnamed mall shows Dory, Maria Mrs Robinson and Emma going to the mall to buy school cloths for Dorian because the summer was ending, while there the two friends Dory and Maria played games in the arcade while Mrs Robinson and Emma was having close conversations about sending both Maria and Dorian to a boarding school and about Emma having another child but Emma denied her because her husband Jack was not ready for Dory.While they were chatting, Dory and Maria wanted to go ice skating at the old train station and Emma decides to send them, the girls got their skates Emma hugged Maria before they left. The moods and themes displayed in that setting is called Love and family Relationship, there are two types of families in the short story, the nuclear and the single family. Dorian’s family is the nuclear family, consisting of mother, father and child. Maria’s family is the single family with her single mother Mrs Robinson.In the third or last setting which takes place at the old station shows Dory and Maria skating with the other kids at the old train station when the two girls caught a glimpse of the lady sitting on the steps wearing a black dress and long whit beads Maria pulled Dorian behind an old boxcar and Dory and Maria realises that it was her when they see their father with her they quickly assume that she was the lady at the train station. Maria belittles Dory quit a lot, and Dory indeed believes Maria to know and understand everything.But the game was over when Emma and Mrs Robinson arrive on the train and Emma experiences the mysterious lady with her husband she sadly sobs as she runs feeling cheated by own husband, she ran waiting to cross Georgia Avenue her husband grabbed her by her arm. She snatched away from him and ran into the street where an oncomi ng vehicle overruns her. The moods and themes displayed in that setting is called Innocence which is from Dory the story is told from her perspective therefore we get a view of the innocence behind her misunderstanding of adult conversations.

International Business Case Study Essay

The first question: how has the globalization of market benefited IKEA? The globalization of market refers to the merging of historically distinct and separate national markets into one huge global marketplace. Falling barriers to cross-border trade have more easier to sell internationally, so it is easier for IKEA to grow into a global cult brand with 230 stores in 33countries and have 5 suppliers of the frames in Europe, plus 3 in the United States and two in China. Because a fewer barriers to cross-border trade. IKEA can easily to open a store in other countries. the second question: how has the globalization of production benefited IKEA? The globalization of production refers to sourcing of goods and services from locations around the globe to take advantage of national differences in the cost and quality of factors of productions, IKEA did a good job, in order to reduce the cost of cotton slipcovers, IKEA has concentrated production in four core suppliers in China. The resulting efficiencies from these global sourcing decisions enabled IKEA to reduce the price of the Klippen by some 40 present between 1995 and2005, because in China we have cheaper labour and lower price of source, it will reduce the cost of production in IKEA, thereby allow IKEA to compete more effectively. What does the IKEA story teach you about the limits of treating the entire world as single integrated global marketplace? In my opinion, every country is unique and has different cultures. If the strategies to provide low price of product offer a company must identify what and which factor that can bring the lowest cost in term of labour, transportation, materials and so on. IKEA first discovered in the early1990s. The company found that its European-style offerings. However, it didn’t always resonatewith American consumers. Because of this reason, IKEA has redesigned its US offerings appeal to American consumers, which has resulted in stronger sales. It is obvious that tastes and preference play an important role in the globalization market. Also, since not everyone had a car, IKEA ensured that their stores were located near public transport.

An Overview of the Chinese Communist Party

An Overview of the Chinese Communist Party Fewer than 6-percent of the Chinese population are members of China’s Communist Party, yet it is the most powerful political party in the world. How Was the Communist Party of China Founded? The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began as an informal study group that met in Shanghai starting in 1921. The first Party Congress was held in Shanghai in July 1921. Some 57 members, including Mao Zedong, attended the meeting. Early Influences The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was founded in the early 1920s by intellectuals who were influenced by the Western ideas of anarchism and Marxism. They were inspired by the 1918 Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and by the May Fourth Movement, which swept across China at the end of World War I. At the time of the CCP’s founding, China was a divided, backward country ruled by various local warlords and burdened by unequal treaties which gave foreign powers special economic and territorial privileges in China. Looking to the USSR as an example, the intellectuals who founded the CCP believed that Marxist revolution was the best path to strengthen and modernize China. The Early CCP Was a Soviet-Style Party The CCP’s early leaders received funding and guidance from Soviet advisors and many went to the Soviet Union for education and training. The early CCP was a Soviet-style Party led by intellectuals and urban workers who advocated orthodox Marxist-Leninist thought. In 1922, the CCP joined the larger and more powerful revolutionary party, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), to form the First United Front (1922-27). Under the First United Front, the CCP was absorbed into the KMT. Its members worked within the KMT to organize urban workers and farmers to support the KMT army’s Northern Expedition (1926-27). The Northern Expedition During the Northern Expedition, which succeeded in defeating the warlords and unifying the country, the KMT split and its leader Chiang Kai-shek led an anti-Communist purge in which thousands of CCP members and supporters were killed. After the KMT established the new Republic of China (ROC) government in Nanjing, it continued its crackdown on the CCP. After the break-up of the First United Front in 1927, the CCP and its supporters fled from the cities to the countryside, where the Party established semi-autonomous â€Å"Soviet base areas,† which they called the Chinese Soviet Republic (1927-1937). In the countryside, the CCP organized its own military force, the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army. The CCPs headquarters moved from Shanghai to the rural Jiangxi Soviet base area, which was led by the peasant revolutionary Zhu De and Mao Zedong. The Long March The KMT-led central government launched a series of military campaigns against the CCP-controlled base areas, forcing the CCP to undertake the Long March (1934-35), a several-thousand-mile military retreat that ended in the rural village of Yenan in Shaanxi Province. During the Long March, Soviet advisors lost influence over the CCP and Mao Zedong took over control of the Party from Soviet-trained revolutionaries. Based in Yenan from 1936-1949, the CCP changed from an orthodox Soviet-style party based in the cities and led by intellectuals and urban workers to a rural-based Maoist revolutionary party composed primarily of peasants and soldiers. The CCP gained the support of many rural peasants by carrying out land reform which redistributed land from landlords to peasants. The Second United Front Following Japan’s invasion of China, the CCP formed a Second United Front (1937-1945) with the ruling KMT to fight the Japanese. During this period, CCP-controlled areas remained relatively autonomous from the central government. Red Army units waged a guerilla war against Japanese forces in the countryside, and the CCP took advantage of the central government’s preoccupation with fighting Japan to expand the CCP’s power and influence. During the Second United Front, CCP membership increased from 40,000 to 1.2 million and the size of the Red Army surged from 30,000 to nearly one million. When Japan surrendered in 1945, Soviet forces that accepted the surrender of Japanese troops in Northeast China turned over large quantities of arms and ammunition to the CCP. Civil war resumed in 1946 between the CCP and KMT. In 1949, the CCP’s Red Army defeated the military forces of the central government in Nanjing, and the KMT-led ROC government fled to Taiwan. On October 10, 1949, Mao Zedong declared the founding of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) in Beijing. A One-Party State   Although there are other political parties in China, including eight small democratic parties, China is a one-party state and the Communist Party maintains a monopoly on power. The other political parties are under the leadership of the Communist Party and serve in advisory roles. A Party Congress Every Five Years A Party Congress, in which the Central Committee is elected, is held every five years. Over 2,000 delegates attend the Party Congress. The Central Committee’s 204 members elect the 25-member Politburo of the Communist Party, which in turn elects a nine-member Politburo Standing Committee. There were 57 Party members when the first Party Congress was held in 1921. There were 73 million Party members at the 17th Party Congress that was held in 2007. The Party’s Leadership Is Marked by Generations The Party’s leadership is marked by generations, starting with the first generation who led the Communist Party to power in 1949. The second generation was led by Deng Xiaoping, China’s last revolutionary-era leader. During the third generation, led by  Jiang Zemin  and  Zhu Rongji, the CCP deemphasized supreme leadership by one individual and transitioned  to a more group-based decision-making process among a small handful of leaders on the  Standing Committee of the Politburo. The Current Leadership The fourth generation was  led by  Hu Jintao  and  Wen Jiabao. The fifth generation, made up of well-connected Communist Youth League members and the children of high-ranking officials, called ‘Princelings,’ took over in 2012. Power in China is based on a pyramid scheme with supreme power at the top. The Standing Committee of the Politburo holds supreme power. The Committee is responsible for maintaining the Party’s control of the state and military. Its members achieve this by holding the highest positions in the State Council, which oversees the government, the National People’s Congress- China’s rubber-stamp legislature, and the Central Military Commission, which runs the armed forces. The base of the Communist Party includes provincial-level, county-level, and township-level People’s Congresses and Party Committees. Fewer than 6-percent of Chinese are members, yet it is the most powerful political party in the world.