Define: Rational Basis

Rational Basis
Rational Basis
Quick Summary of Rational Basis

Rational basis is a legal standard used in constitutional law to evaluate the constitutionality of government actions or laws. Under the rational basis test, a challenged law or government action is presumed to be constitutional if it is rationally related to a legitimate government interest. In other words, the government must demonstrate that there is a reasonable connection between the law or action and a legitimate government objective, and that the law is not arbitrary or irrational. Unlike stricter standards of review such as strict scrutiny or intermediate scrutiny, rational basis review is more deferential to the government and requires only a minimal level of justification for the law or action to be upheld. Rational basis is typically applied in cases involving economic regulation, social welfare programs, and other areas where the government has broad discretion to enact laws or policies.

What is the dictionary definition of Rational Basis?
Dictionary Definition of Rational Basis
n. a test of constitutionality of a statute, asking whether the law has a reasonable connection to achieving a legitimate and constitutional objective.
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This glossary post was last updated: 29th March, 2024.

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