Benefits and Challenges of Living in A Diverse Society

Strict Scrutiny Test

the guidelines the courts use to determine the legality of suspect classification-based discrimination; on the basis of this test, discrimination is legal if it is a necessary means by which the government can achieve a compelling public interest

Intermediate Scrutiny Test

Equal protection test used by the Supreme Court that requires the government to prove that the use of classifications such as age, gender, or race is substantially related to an important government objective.

Equal Protection Clause

14th amendment clause that prohibits states from denying equal protection under the law, and has been used to combat discrimination

Rational Basis Test

A standard developed by the courts to test the constitutionality of a law; when applied, a law is constitutional as long as it meets a reasonable government interest.

Reasonable Classification

Government must have the power to classify, to draw distinctions between persons and groups.