Final answer:
Reasonableness analysis, or the rational basis test, is a legal standard used by courts to review laws and government actions that classify groups or individuals and is a key component in cases involving discrimination.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reasonableness analysis refers to a standard of review used by courts when evaluating laws or government actions that classify individuals or groups. This standard, also known as the rational basis test, is commonly applied to assess most forms of discrimination. Under this analysis, the burden of proof falls on the individual or group challenging the law to show that there is no legitimate governmental interest being served by the law or action in question and that the classifications made by it are not reasonable.
The rational basis test is the most lenient form of judicial review and is only exceeded by intermediate and strict scrutiny. In order for the plaintiff to succeed, they must demonstrate that the law or action has no reasonable relation to a legitimate governmental goal. If they cannot, then the law is upheld as constitutional. The test presumes the validity of the government's action, making it a challenging standard for challengers to overcome.