Strategy and Business Model Innovation-Free-Samples for Students

Question: Discuss about the Strategy and Business model Innovation. Answer: Introduction The report is based on the E-learning activity of the week-3 and week-4; there is a brief description of the theories shown in the video. The description of theories is linked with the example of the higher education industry. Moreover, the topic discussed in the report is Strategy and Business model innovation. Strategy Each and every company form a strategy to achieve the long-term objective of the company. The achievement of the goals is essential for each and every company (Grant, R.M., 2016); this concept is clearly shown in the week-3 activity video. Similarly, in the higher education industry, there is a formation of the business strategy which helps the institution to make the place in the market. For instance; The Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA), this college provide the education to the students who are looking for the higher education degree in the medical management. The strategy followed by the college is to provide the professional education, leadership, advice, and expertise in the medical management. The college came into the existence in the year 1967, located in Australia (RACMA, 2013). The company competes with the other college that provides the courses related to the medical management in Australia but still the RACMA is one of the oldest colleges which is offering its services to the students. There are different colleges who offer the courses related to the medical and the company maintains the unique value by offering quality services to the students. Along with this, the college provides these services to promote the safe and effective healthcare services to the students (RACMA, 2012). There is set of standard for the medical practitioner training in the leadership and management related to the medical and health. The role of the professional medical manager is unique than the other medical specialties. The reason being it involves a focus on leadership, on management and on specialist clinical governance. This value is hardly provided by any other college or institute and this is the reason it is becoming the competitive advantage for the college. This is th e unique value that is provided by the college, this is the fact that in the current complex environment the roles and expectations of medical managers are becoming important (RACMA, 2014). RACMA is the key player in the field of the medical in Australia and New Zealands health care system. The college is following the strategy to expand the business across the borders. provides is the way through which the college can provide more and more accessibility which makes the brand known in the market. This unique value leads to the success of the college, to achieve the success the college need resources and capabilities (RACMA, 2012). The resources and the capabilities of the RACMA consist of the brand value, which is increasing because the college is having good market value and awareness. The campus of the college shows the tangible resources and the human resources are indicated with the faculty or tutor of the college. The college management believes in hiring those tutors who are experienced, professional, and people who have the practical knowledge about the medical field. The Human resources need to be managed by the college because the students get attracted towards the quality of the services provided by the college to their students (RACMA, 2012). The value needs to be sustained by the college as this unique value is the only way through which the college will be able to make the profit or revenue. Apart from it, the unique value provided by the college is the only way through which the college can form the relationship or connection with the people who are involved in a field of Health. RACMA should add on new and innovative services with the use of technology so that the student can avail the services. The use of technology is becoming necessary for each and every college in this competitive world and this is the high time for the RACMA to make use of the services. These advanced services help the students to proceed with their bright future as the learning and understanding help the students in the near future. Business model innovation The business model innovation is defined as the growth of unique, new and innovative concept that provides a support to an organization. The e-learning video shows that there are many countries that make use of the innovation in the business model (Gobble, 2014). The innovative idea helps the company to generate the value proposition for the customers which helps the company in creating the competitive advantage; another innovative way adopted by the company helps the company in reducing the cost which also generates competitive advantage. The innovative business model is nowadays also followed by the Higher education. For instance; Australian National University, this university came into the existence in the year 1946. The university is located in Canberra, Australia (ANU, 2017). The university has to bring innovation in their business model for that the company follows the 4I's process which is Initiation, Ideation, Integration, and Implementation. ANU took the initiation towards bringing the innovation in their business model. Ideation, to bring the innovation in the business model there is a need for the Idea. ANU got the idea to offer the entrepreneurship and creative courses to their students that help to become the entrepreneur in the near future. To perform the activity smoothly the ANU integrated the business activities, together the idea can provide the positive outcomes. After the process, it is the time of the implementation of the final plan. The teams of the university were awarded for the recognition of the innovative nosiness ideas (ANU, 2017). The company target all the students who are looking for the academic courses, youth who are looking to get involved in the business venture and needs to study entrepreneurship. The target audience of the university also include the parents of the students who are concerned for the education of their children. The university offers numerous courses to the students related to the academic and along with that the university provides the masters of the entrepreneurship and innovation. These courses help the students to explore different types of the innovation which include architectural, incremental, and other new concepts (ANU, 2017). Apart from in the new business venture, the entrepreneur has to involve in the activity of planning, organizing, managing, executing innovative ventures and controlling and the student learns and understands all these skills and capabilities from this university. The university believes in delivering high quality of the services and guidance to the students so that they can accomplish their future goals. This is the reason university provide the sessions, lectures, notes and practical demonstration of the learning so that the students can understand the theoretical concepts. These values attract the students towards the university, this is also a fact that the university is the oldest university because of this the value of the degree of the university is more important. The success of the innovation needs the resources that can be goodwill of university, faculty of the university, infrastructure of the campus and many other things. The university believes in hiring those tutors who are experienced and can offer the professional learning to the candidates (ANU, 2017). The value proportion or the services provided to the candidates helps the university to get attracted towards the university which leads to the revenue and profit of the university. The university also provide the distance learning facilities to many of the students which help in generating revenue for the university. On the other hand, the university expand this amount on technology advancement to provide extra facilities to the candidates. The success of the University is very clear and visible as the university is on 1st position in Australia and whole of Oceania. Along with that, the university holds 20th position in the world by 2018 QA World university rankings. Australia National University is 30 years older from now so its high time that the company should provide affiliation facilities in many other countries particular for the entrepreneurship and innovation courses so that more and more students can get the advantage (ANU, 2017). Conclusion The strategy and business model innovation play a vital role in the competitive world, each and every company form the strategy and business model with the help of innovation and technology to face the competition. The report throws light on the strategy followed by the institution or college and innovation created in the business model of the Australia National University. References ANU, 2017, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, viewed on 12th December 2017, https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/course/mgmt3027 ANU, 2017, Master of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, viewed on 12th December 2017, https://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/program/MEINV ATMC, 2017, About, viewed on 12th December 2017, https://www.atmc.edu.au/about/about-atmc Gobble, M.M., 2014. Business model innovation.Research-Technology Management,57(6), pp.58-61. Grant, R.M., 2016.Contemporary Strategy Analysis Text Only. John Wiley Sons. RACMA, 2012, "The First 30 Years", viewed on 12th December 2017, https://www.racma.edu.au/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=377Itemid=85 RACMA, 2012, Critical Success Factors, viewed on 12th December 2017, https://www.racma.edu.au/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=419Itemid=205 RACMA, 2012, Strategic Plan, viewed on 12th December 2017, https://www.racma.edu.au/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=378Itemid=86 RACMA, 2013, College Profile and Objectives, viewed on 12th December 2017, https://www.racma.edu.au/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=498Itemid=202 RACMA, 2014, Roles and Objectives, viewed on 12th December 2017, https://www.racma.edu.au/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=418Itemid=204

Pursuit of Ideal Body Image

Introduction In Pursuit of Ideal Body Image, both women and men take drastic measures to achieve the desired body image. In a society obsessed with weight loss or gain and physical beauty, people use various mechanisms such as the use of steroids, diets and surgery, among other mechanisms, to attain attractiveness.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Pursuit of Ideal Body Image specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In addressing the body image issue, Hesse-Biber, Petrocelli et al, have done intensive research by obtaining personal testimonies on the motivating factors as why people use diets or steroids to obtain a perfect body image they so yearn for. The trio, through their research, has discussed this issue by embracing the social, economic and cultural factors, as to why most men and women resort to various methods to attain an ideal body image. In the book, The Spread of the Cult of Thinness by Sharlene Hesse-Biber, the author uses the metaphor of a cult to illustrate how women worship their physical images. The demand on women to perform body ritual and sacrifices to achieve ultra-slender ideals is presented. Anabolic steroids were first identified in the 1930s. The American College of Sports Medicine acknowledges that they work for certain individuals. Although they are used therapeutically in medicine to stimulate bone growth and appetite, excessive use poses a health risk. In the book Getting Huge, Getting Ripped: A qualitative Exploration of Recreational Steroid Use, Petrocelli et al studies the steroid use by body builders (Petrocelli et al). He illustrates their personal insights on the reasons they use these substances, despite their knowledge on the adverse effects steroids. On the other hand, athletes are under pressure to perform, and create a brand that easily grants endorsements, salary increment and potential to gain an advantage over competitors. Hence, they have embraced steroid as a short-cut of achieving their goals. How far humans will go in pursuit of an ideal body image People go to extremes in pursuit of physical attractiveness. A person is self-perceptive of their own physical appearance hence, influencing health choices they make. Usually, in relation to some cultural ideals, some tend to inculcate the notion that beauty is ‘thinness’. According to, Hesse-Biber, the question ‘Am I thin enough yet?’ offers some provocative insights (3). Hesse-Biber highlights how these cultural inclinations continue to erode self confidence of women as they aim to attain the American standard of physical perfection (8). For example, in the illustration, we meet Delia and Lauren, two women so preoccupied with their physical image that they are willing to go extraordinary lengths to the point of starving themselves (Hesse-Biber, 22).Advertising Looking for essay on rhetoric? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Delia and Lauren context represents a larger percentage of women with similar obsession in our modern age. These obsessions have led to major consequences as the use of steroids leads to suffering from anorexia and bulimia. Moreover, the obsession with the physical body has not only been a practice of older women. Incidences of girls at a very tender age have overtime joined the trend. Lauren, who is less than ten years, illustrates this clearly. She experiences pressure from her peers in her dancing class to appear in a certain way. Hence, a steroid offers her the solution. Conversely, Janet, compelled to lose weight, undergoes a surgery that tragically leaves her with a chronic illness (Hesse-Biber, 101). Women across all age groups have been compelled to go against their; psychological, economical and social pressures, to develop eating disorders that are self destructive, as illustrated by Lauren and Janet (Hesse-Biber, 101). There is a collective judgment i n our present culture of the ideal body image. Beauty cannot be quantified or objectively measured, and by definition, it is an ideal for those who strive for it. If they can afford to attain the splendor standards of a specific culture, those values must be sustained. Unfortunately, these standards have been made impossible to attain, leading to the disappointment and the obsession with an ideal body image. Beauty is a prerequisite for both femininity and masculinity. As a result, more men and women alike, today take steroids. According to Petrocelli et al, anabolic steroids used by body builders, provide comprehensive insights into its nature, pattern of use and health issues. Initially, the motivation for physical attractiveness was purely for beauty purposes but, currently social mobility, media, peer influence and athletes’ branding are critical factors contributing to their increased use. Is this a modern problem? People’s insecurities about their image have alwa ys been there. In recent years, these obsessions have been on the increase. The value of beauty standards changes over time. Presently, research, media coverage and the internet have contributed to the awareness levels by the public on body builders’ use of steroids. Similarly, the media, economic, social and peer pressures have had an influence on dieting and poor health choices. In an effort to attain a set standard on body image this has resulted to extreme dieting and drug use. Although the impact of extreme dieting and use of steroids appears to be a modern problem, it is argued to be an issue that dates back to centuries ago. As special types of imagery of beauty vary, an individual’s body is likely to vary too.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Pursuit of Ideal Body Image specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The pursuit of physical perfection began centuries ago, but in recent times, the standards and motivation have greatly changed. During the 16th century, most European women embraced the corsets made of toughened work of art to flatten their breast and abdomen. Waist was not spared, though they had a piece of mental or wood placed on their chest in an attempt to achieve a perfect waist image. In mid-19th century, fixed corsets were again introduced in North America and other parts of Europe. Despite their physicians’ advice on their potential effect to cause pulmonary disease and internal organ damage, many women continued to disregard this professional advice. Anabolic steroid use has been a trend of athletes since the 1950’s. However, it was not until 1980’s that the national American athletes started to sanction its illegal supplementation (Hesse-Biber, 201). The athletes’ viewed their use as a strategy to boost their performance, abilities, salary and attract major endorsements. Throughout the years, our society has become fat-phobic. This is evident, taking a glance through media; both electronic and print media. Programs that include reality shows and advertising campaigns advance the notion on the American standard of physical perfection. This is achieved by engaging viewers in advancing cultural prejudices on body image. Technology has not been spared either; it has been instrumental in the pursuit of ideal attractiveness. In doing so, these instruments have encouraged the use of steroids and extreme dieting that does not require justification, without necessarily accounting for the repercussions (Petrocelli et al). How these ideals spread and negative consequences of body image ideal According to Hesse-Biber, poor body image has a significant impact on eating disorders. These disorders include bulimia, anorexia nervosa or binge eating in both men and women (153). A negative body image encourages numerous self-destructive behaviors comprising exercise dependence, eating disorders or steroid abuse. Along with the m edia in general, websites contribute to the increased eating disorders. They do not directly prescribe measures to tackle these disorders but advance the concept on the perception of the ideal body image, the body must be extremely thin. These perceptions are skewed due to cognitive distortion, for example, some anorexic people refer to these concepts as ‘thin inspiring’. Previously, eating disorders, diet pills and image obsession was associated mostly with women, but as noted by Petrocelli et al, there has been a recent controversy surrounding men and steroids, including major athletes. The pressure to resemble the perfect models on magazines and develop well-sculpted male models is equally another issue.Advertising Looking for essay on rhetoric? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The purpose is to use them to promote sports, jewelry, perfumes or clothes, without necessarily taking into consideration the consequences and long term effects (Petrocelli et al). Our society has become fixated on the sex appeal of individuals instead of identifying people according to what one offers mentally and intellectually to society. Although people using steroids have voiced concerns of being caught under their effect, they remain apprehensive about stopping its use. Positive consequences In addressing issues of societal view on the image, there are positive aspects to this effect. Hesse-Biber provides new frameworks to help tackle health issues faced by not only women in general but also, the new recruits to the â€Å"Cult of Thinness† (152). In doing so it empowers women to alter their perspective on what beauty is and overcoming body insecurity. Health choices and perspectives develop over the course of an individual’s life. Therefore, for change to occur, it takes time and effort. Personal reflection on experiences that influence attitudes on body image from childhood peer pressure or the media may equally prove beneficial. Awareness campaigns and media coverage should be entrenched on healthier choices. Besides, media coverage that promotes the ideal man as always being strong, lean and muscular and women as thin should not be taken as always true. The best idea is to promote healthy eating habits and encourage a positive impact on people to concentrate more on health than weight (Hesse-Biber, 117). In recent years, viable physical education programs introduced in schools have had a positive response not only from students but also parents. For example, teasing those seen to be too thin or too fat has been on the decline. It creates a real and safe way for young people to improve their health and fitness. Conclusion Physical attraction has always been an issue dating back centuries ago. In recent years, this obsession has drasticall y increased, with the use of steroids. History as well as the interaction of individual and society, has an influence on the effect and extent that people go to attain standard image perfection. In their research, Petrocelli et al provide personal insights of steroid users, their perspective and its effects (Petrocelli et al). This provides clear information on the hazy anabolic steroids and its involuntary use of both athletic performance enrichment and physical beauty. Conversely, Hesse-Biber shows the growing concern about weight. She illustrates that it is important to provide people with healthy eating and physical activity habits simply because extreme dieting and eating disorder habits can be counterproductive to long term weight management (102). The definition of desirable body image has spanned for a long time across all genders. Although steroids can be used for therapeutic purposes, excessive use is harmful. Works Cited Petrocelli, Matthew, Oberweis Trish and Petrocelli, Joseph. â€Å"Getting Huge, Getting Ripped: A Qualitative Exploration Of Recreational Steroid Use.† Journal of Drug Issues Fall (2008). pp.1187-1205. Hesse-Biber, Nagy Sharlene. The Spread of the Cult of Thinness. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2006 This essay on Pursuit of Ideal Body Image was written and submitted by user Alessandro Romero to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Free Essays on Sonnet 18

In the sonnet â€Å"Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? (XVIII),† William Shakespeare uses images, metaphors, personification, and conceit to portray his theme that as long as this poem lives so does the beauty of the man he speaks of. The beloved's "eternal summer" shall not fade just because it is personified in the sonnet. The speaker has much influence in the poem to defy time and carry the beauty of the beloved down to generations forever. The images that Shakespeare uses are simple, but capture the beauty of the beloved man. In line 3 the speakers talks of â€Å"rough winds,† and â€Å"the darling buds of May† he is using rough winds to describe the unpredictable chance and change, and he implies that his beloved does not suffer from these winds as summer does. When the speaker assures his beloved that his â€Å"eternal summer shall not fade,† he is using summer as a metaphor for his beauty. He boasts that, unlike a summer’s day, the memory of his beloved will last forever. The speaker personifies the sky, or â€Å"heaven,† by using the metaphor of an â€Å"eye† for the sun so that the comparison between a person and a season becomes dramatic. By assigning heaven an â€Å"eye,† the speaker uses the image of his beloved’s eyes. Similarly, in the next line when the speaker mentions that summer’s â€Å"gold complexion† is often â€Å"dimmed,† he is attempting to compare a human attribute with some trait of summer. Throughout the poem the speaker is comparing his beloved to the traits of summer. The first line introduces the conceit of the sonnet, the comparison of the speaker’s beloved to a summer’s day. The speaker then builds on this comparison when he writes, â€Å"Thou art more lovely and more temperate† because he is describing his beloved in a way that could also describe summer. The speaker simply contrasts the life span of his poem and his beloved’s memory to the personality of a summer’s day. He brags that,... Free Essays on Sonnet 18 Free Essays on Sonnet 18 In the sonnet â€Å"Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? (XVIII),† William Shakespeare uses images, metaphors, personification, and conceit to portray his theme that as long as this poem lives so does the beauty of the man he speaks of. The beloved's "eternal summer" shall not fade just because it is personified in the sonnet. The speaker has much influence in the poem to defy time and carry the beauty of the beloved down to generations forever. The images that Shakespeare uses are simple, but capture the beauty of the beloved man. In line 3 the speakers talks of â€Å"rough winds,† and â€Å"the darling buds of May† he is using rough winds to describe the unpredictable chance and change, and he implies that his beloved does not suffer from these winds as summer does. When the speaker assures his beloved that his â€Å"eternal summer shall not fade,† he is using summer as a metaphor for his beauty. He boasts that, unlike a summer’s day, the memory of his beloved will last forever. The speaker personifies the sky, or â€Å"heaven,† by using the metaphor of an â€Å"eye† for the sun so that the comparison between a person and a season becomes dramatic. By assigning heaven an â€Å"eye,† the speaker uses the image of his beloved’s eyes. Similarly, in the next line when the speaker mentions that summer’s â€Å"gold complexion† is often â€Å"dimmed,† he is attempting to compare a human attribute with some trait of summer. Throughout the poem the speaker is comparing his beloved to the traits of summer. The first line introduces the conceit of the sonnet, the comparison of the speaker’s beloved to a summer’s day. The speaker then builds on this comparison when he writes, â€Å"Thou art more lovely and more temperate† because he is describing his beloved in a way that could also describe summer. The speaker simply contrasts the life span of his poem and his beloved’s memory to the personality of a summer’s day. He brags that,...

Battle of Antietam - Outcome and Significance

Battle of Antietam - Outcome and Significance Dates: September 16-18, 1862 Other Names: Sharpsburg Location: Sharpsburg, Maryland. Key Individuals Involved in the Battle of Antietam: Union: Major General George B. McClellanConfederate: General Robert E. Lee Outcome: The result of the battle was inconclusive, but the north did win a strategic advantage. 23,100 casualties. Overview of the Battle: On September 16, Major  Gen. George B. McClellan  met General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia in Sharpsburg, Maryland. The next morning at dawn, Union Major General Joseph Hooker led his corps to mount a strong assault on Lees left flank. This began what would be the bloodiest day in all of American military history. Fighting occurred across a cornfield and around the Dunker Church. In addition, Union troops assaulted the Confederates at the Sunken Road, which actually pierced through the Confederate center. However, the Northern troops did not follow through with this advantage. Later, Union General Ambrose Burnsides troops got into the fight, croosing over Antietam Creek and arriving at the Confederate right.     At a crucial moment, Confederate General Ambrose Powell Hill, Jrs  division arrived from  Harpers Ferry  and counterattacked. He was able to drive back Burnside and save the day. Even though he was  outnumbered two-to-one, Lee decided to commit his entire army while Union Major General George B. McClellan sent in fewer than three-quarters of his army, which enabled Lee to fight the Federals to a standstill. Both  armies were able to consolidate their lines during the night. Even though his troops had suffered crippling casualties, Lee decided to continue to skirmish with McClellan throughout the day of the 18th, removing his wounded south at the same time. After dark, Lee ordered the withdrawal of his battered Army of Northern Virginia to across the Potomac into the Shenandoah Valley. Significance of the Battle of Antietam: The Battle of Antietam forced the Confederate Army to retreat back across the Potomac River. President Abraham Lincoln saw the significance of this and issued the famous Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862. Source: CWSAC Battle Summaries

Unemployment and Inflation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Unemployment and Inflation - Essay Example During inflation, the government must come up with various fiscal and monetary measures to redeem the situation. Thus unemployment and inflation are usually correlated. As the level of unemployment reduces, firms will spend more on salaries leading to high costs in production. These high costs are then passed to the final consumers in the economy in form of high price commodity generating inflationary measures in the economy (Gordon, & Solow, 2004). While the opposite is also true. As unemployment increases, workers will demand fewer wages that will lower the production costs. This is then passed inform of low prices to the consumers leading to reduced inflation. From the institution above, the correlation between unemployment and inflation is the inverse relationship. As one increases the other reduces and vice-versa. This implies that the economy can only achieve one at a time but not both be leading to a trade-off as shown below. The diagram above represents the tradeoff that exis ts between unemployment and inflation rate. The economy can either do with a high inflation rate say 8% and a low unemployment rate of 3%. They can also do with a low inflation of 4% and a high unemployment rate of 6%. This is an economically proved situation in many countries and I totally agree with the correlation. Laborers always demand high wages in return for the compensation of the work they do for the company. Firms also do not have much choice since they have to hire workers if they have to produce. In the process of production, they will always want to recover the costs that were used in products like the wages and costs of raw materials (Gordon, & Solow, 2004). This is passed to the final beneficiary of the commodity inform of high prices. So for firms to reduce prices they must do so at the low cost of production and one way is to minimize the use of labor. These situations results into the inverse correlation between

Musical Jersey Boys Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Musical Jersey Boys - Assignment Example The performance had its share of light and dark moments, where if on the one side these boys manage to carve out a space for themselves as astute and talented performers, yet, they are unable to get rid of the dark shadow of the mafia linkage and poverty that defined their urban background. The play encapsulates the life and times of the group, packaging and presenting it as a nostalgic remembrance of something moving and enrapturing. The show happened to be crisply fast paced, punctuated by more than ample moments of urban humor and laughter, which indeed imparted a tinge of lightness to an otherwise moving plot having its share of dark and grim moments. They much liberal exploitation of music made the play a much lighter and invigorating experience and the fast pace combined with a comparatively lighter tonality added to its overall appeal. The play allowed for an assemblage of perspectives, as it is narrated from the point of view of varied members of the Four Seasons group. This multiplicity of viewpoints is immaculately used in the play to weave the story of the ascendance of a group of four boys born and brought up amidst urban squalor and crime to the dizzying heights of fame, as they moved the hearts of millions of fans and music lovers. The struggle of these four boys justified by the success they achieved is movingly presented to the accompaniment of soundtracks from Frankie Valli and his band the Four Seasons. The hits like â€Å"Big Boys don’t cry†, ‘Dawn† and â€Å"Walk like a Man† imbued the theatre with a stimulating and palpitating sense of harmony, showcasing the golden hits that made these boys a rage amongst the music lovers of all ages and times. All the actors did do a remarkable job, bringing an emphatic and earnest charm to all the four characters that signified their appeal and immense following. One also does need to praise the musical abilities of most of the

Spanish Golden Age Essay Example for Free

Spanish Golden Age Essay The Spanish Golden Age:In the context 1474 to 1598, to what extent did Ferdinand and Isabella lay the foundations for a Spanish Golden Age? By the end of the 16th century Spain had within the space of 100 year risen to become the greatest power in Europe and as quickly and dramatically as it had risen out of a divided peninsular it came crashing down back into despair. By the end of Philip II reign the country had been become bankrupt several times due to excessive spending through his reign, and as Woodward states here was ‘ plague, famine, depopulation, inflation'(1) But regardless of what happened at the end the time before hand had been called the Spanish Golden Age where Spain had a vast empire stretching along the Mediterranean all the way the vastness of the New World and the Americas and power and wealth beyond the belief of any of the other european powers. However all of this would not of been possible if not down to the work of Ferdinand(F)and Isabella(I) or the Catholic Monarchs as they came to be known and if they really did lay the foundations of a Golden Age for Spain. 1479 the year by when both Ferdinand and Isabella had become the king and queen of their realms, Aragon and Castille is what Spain was known at this time, Spain as a whole country did not exists until during Phillips reign however the pre marriage agreement of F and I was that they would rule their kingdoms jointly and any acts or policies that could be put forward would be in place for both Aragon and Castille. At the time of their succession to their thrones neither kingdom was in a tate to deal with anything beyond their own borders, the main problem was that both governments were different styles of ruling, Aragon(A) was a more federal style of government where there were 3 separate Cortes all with which F had to deal with and could not make any decisions without whereas in Castilee (C) I the Cortes had little to no power over how she would rule her country without any restraints. Now after a long succession battle after the death of the previous monarch of C the nobility had began to resist I and so he setting up of the Hermandades helped secure peace in her territory by 1498 and had significantly reduced the power of the nobility and was continually reduced throughout Is reign with the set up of Consejo Real and corregiadors who helped secured the loyalty of the classes straight to the royalty. According to Kamen at the start of their reigns F and I actually were looking for the support of the nobles and in his book he states that lavish gifts were give to those who suported them and just as equally harsh measures against those who did not(2). It was only as their reign progressed that new policies were brought about that were intended to reduce the nobles power. The reducing of the power of the nobles and the centralising of the governments that allowed a unified Spain to come about during Charles V reign. Economically the Spain was in very bad shape by the time of F and I and had to be turned around quickly if Spain was to flouish. In C seeing as I did not call the Cortes between 1483-1497 she needed income from elsewhere and this was done in the form of taxes