Rational Basis Test Essay

According to the American Government textbook, the rational basis test is when the court needs to apply rules of interpretation; to address questions of law. One of those constitutional quandaries is a test to see if there is a reason to treat people differently. The court needs to prove “rationally related to a legitimate government interest (pg. 155).” In other words, so long as there is a reason to treat people differently that is “rationally related to a legitimate government interest (pg.155).” then the law or policy is acceptable.
One example is being discriminatory against the blind. Since allowing blind people to drive cars would be a danger to society, then the law of not allowing them to drive is justified even though it discriminates against the blind.
Similarly, intermediate scrutiny is also a test where the court needs to determine a statute’s constitutionality based on gender or sex. In other words, when the court needs to ensure that the law is in accordance with the constitution. According to the American Government textbook, intermediate scrutiny is required when the government needs to “demonstrate that treating men and women differently is substantially related to an important governmental objective (pg.155).”
One example of intermediate scrutiny is South Carolina’s military college known as The Citadel. “The courts ruled that …show more content…
Under strict scrutiny, “the burden of proof is on the government to demonstrate that there is a compelling governmental interest in treating people from one group differently from those who are not part of that group – the law or action can be narrowly tailored to achieve the goal in question, and that it is the least restrictive means available to achieve that goal (pg.156).” In other words, if there is a way to move forward without discriminating, then there should be no discrimination at