Among the study topics of this course I found the following topics the most interesting. We studied the federal justice system and judicial review, American civil liberties, and American public policy. Within the study of public policy, domestic and foreign policy are by far the most important political science concepts in this author's opinion. These are the concepts in this course that this author enjoyed the most. Specifically, American public policy must adhere to civil liberties, and the justice system supports this balance through judicial review ensuring that the system continues to serve the people. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The highest power of the federal courts is judicial review, the authority to interpret the Constitution. When federal judges determine that laws violate the context of the Constitution, they form public policy. “The text of the Constitution does not contain a specific provision for the power of judicial review” (Judicial review, 2019), however, in the Marbury v. Madison it was established that the power to declare laws unconstitutional is a latent power. American civil liberties are rights a person receives just because he or she is a citizen. Rights cannot be taken away by other individuals or by the government, so they are inalienable. The Declaration of Independence defines these as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. “Protected civil liberties include the right to due process, equal protection, and the prohibition of any state law superseding federal law” (Civil Liberties, 2016). Public policy is established by the democratic system in the United States and involves competing interest groups convincing policy makers to set public policies that benefit the greater good and well-being of citizens. In some cases, pushing for policies that favor interest groups. Public policy is “defined as a system of laws, regulatory measures, courses of action, and funding priorities regarding a given topic promulgated by a government body or its representatives” (Kilpatrick, 2019). Public policy can include regulation of taxes, social security, among many other policies that are voted on. imminent collapse of the social security system” (Davis, p.602, 2019). Social Security is a public policy that currently faces age inequalities, serious investment and solvency problems. The program's fees produce insufficient funds to pay the promised dividends to future beneficiaries. Government experts have examined Social Security's asset reserves and predict that, under the program's current mandate, depletion will occur within the next 75 years. One approach thought to be beneficial to future beneficiaries is raising the early eligibility age, however it is not strongly favored by voters. The average age of employed people who currently wish to retire is approaching 62. “While the average retirement age is 62, most people cannot collect Social Security until age 66. And if you were born after 1970, you have to wait until 67” (Chris Hogan, 2019).When politicians urge us to raise the retirement age, they propose extending the overall retirement age beyond 65. Later retirement can protect future funds; however, it also cuts monthly pension salaries by the same percentage for each worker since “the amount of money a worker receives is based.