Ratchet Theory
Legal definition for Indian law research
Definition
Ratchet theory, means the principal that Congress - in exercising its enforcement power under the 14th Amendment - can increase, but cannot dilute, the scope of 14th Amendment guarantees as previously defined by the Supreme Court. Thus, the enabling clause works in only one direction like a ratchet, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th Edn., p. 1268
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