American Government / Unit 3 Gov 122 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Rational Basis Test
Captions available
The idea
The rational basis test upholds unequal treatment when the government shows the law is rationally related to a legitimate governmental interest.
In practice
Age lines survive it: a law treating ten-year-olds differently from adults needs only a sensible reason.
Where people slip
Rational basis is the default and easiest standard — most laws reviewed under it stand.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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